Precision synthesis and characterization of novel functional polymers

Among controlled radical polymerisation techniques, cobalt-mediated radical polymerisation (CMRP) has proven to be a valuable alternative in polymerising unreactive and unconjugated monomers of many different monomer classes under mild conditions, including α-olefins. In a reversible deactivation mechanism, a cobalt complex reversibly traps the active growing chains and converts them into dormant species, avoiding side reactions and allowing for a controlled polymerisation. A fine control over the architecture is possible and allows to synthesise a large diversity of unprecedented block and alternating copolymers. Furthermore, functionalisation of the α- and ω-chain ends is now also possible. In this poster, the polymerization of different vinyl monomers using CMRP has been investigated to design highly functional materials under mild experimental conditions. The copolymerisation behaviour of these novel monomers was examined, and the structure and thermal properties of the new copolymers were investigated.