Carnegie Mellon University

Jianhui Xia

Krzysztof A Matyjaszewski

Scott G Gaynor

Simion Coca

Dorota Greszta

Jin-Shan Wang

Timothy E Patten

Xuan Zhang

Tomislav Pintauer

Jian Qiu

Mircea Teodorescu

Jeffrey Pyun

Hyun-jong Paik

Peter J Miller

Jian Qui

Jeff Pyun

Hyun-Jong Paik

Further improvements have been made in processes for controlled polymerization of free radically (co)polymerizable monomers mediated by a transition metal complex participating in a redox reaction which involves transfer of a radically transferable atom or group to and from an initiator or dormant polymer and the growing active polymer chain ends. Two improvements involve the choice of counterion in the transition metal complex. In one improvement the transition metal is held in close conjunction with a solid support through interaction with a counterion directly attached to the support. This cognition also allows for improvements in catalyst utilization including catalyst recovery and recycle. In another improvement, particularly suitable for controlled polymerization of certain monomers with an expanded range of transition metals, the function of counterion and ligand in the development of the transition metal based catalyst is superseded by use of salt containing a soluble organic counterion. These and other process improvements have been employed to prepare an extended range of novel polymeric materials and novel processes for the preparation of functional polymers including a novel catalytic Atom Transfer Coupling Reaction.

Catalytic processes for the controlled polymerization of free radically (co)polymerizable monomers and functional polymeric systems prepared thereby

Improved processes for atom (or group) transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and novel polymers have been developed and are described. In certain embodiments, novel copolymers comprising a least one polymeric branch or polymeric block with a predominantly alternating monomer sequence are described. Novel copolymers comprising a least one polymeric branch or polymeric block with a gradient monomer structure are described. Additionally, novel copolymers comprising a least one polymeric branch or polymeric block with a predominantly periodic monomer sequence are also described. Novel copolymers having a water soluble backbone and at least two hydrophobic polymeric branches grafted to the water soluble backbone are also described.

Processes based on atom (or group) transfer radical polymerization and novel (co)polymers having useful structures and properties

Improved processes have been developed for atom (or group) transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). In one improvement, the ATRP process involves polymerizing in the presence of a (partially) free radical-deactivating amount of the corresponding reduced or oxidized transition metal compound. In a further improvement, the ATRP process involves polymerizing in a homogeneous system or in the presence of a solubilized initiating/catalytic system. The present invention also concerns end-functional, site-specific functional and telechelic homopolymers and copolymers; block, random, graft, alternating and tapered (or 'gradient') copolymers which may have certain properties or a certain novel structure; star, comb and 'hyperbranched' polymers and copolymers; multi-functional hyperbranched, end-functional polymers; cross-linked polymers and gels; water-soluble polymers and hydrogels (e.g., a copolymer prepared by radical copolymerization of a water-soluble monomer and a divinyl monomer); and an ATRP process using water as a medium.

Processes based on atom (or group) transfer radical polymerization and

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Jianhui Xia