The synthesis of optically active poly(phenylethyl acrylate) via SET-LRP

We present the synthesis of optically active polymers derived from S-phenylethyl acrylate and R-phenylethyl acrylate for the first time. Cu(0) wire-catalyzed single electron transfer-living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) methodology which provides a feasible platform makes its new application in designing and developing these two polymers. At various degrees of polymerizations (DPs) ranging from 100 to 400, first-order kinetics is observed. In all cases, SET-LRP demonstrates a rapid polymerization rate while maintaining excellent control over polymer's molecular weight, polydispersity and chain-end functionality. These advantages facilitate the development of both homopolymers and block copolymers through in situ chain extensions. The circular dichroism measurement confirms that the SET-LRP method yields optically active polymers derived from two enantiomeric monomers, which exhibit mirrored spectra.