Using photoredox chemistry to access defined copolymer structures

C. Adrian Figg

Virginia Tech

Photo-induced electron/energy transfer (PET) catalysis of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations provide light-mediated control over macromolecular architecture. PET catalysts introduce a distinct mode of radical introduction via an activation-deactivation mechanism, complementing the inherent chain transfer reactions in RAFT polymerization and providing access to defined polymer structures. Herein, novel protein-based photocatalysts will be discussed that can mediate PET-RAFT polymerizations. In addition, the activation-deactivation mechanism is used to access novel macromolecular architectures with precise monomer placement, where the PET reaction is critical to the single-unit monomer insertion reactions. Overall, the utility of PET catalysis will be shown to be essential to access well-defined polymers.

Invited for the Florida Award for Brent Sumerlin