Molecular spectroscopic characterisation of poly(methyl methacrylate) generated by means of atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP)

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 47; no. 4; pp. 1044 - 1054
• Main Authors: Jackson, Anthony T., Bunn, Alan, Priestnall, Ian M., Borman, Christopher D., Irvine, Derek J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 08.02.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atom transfer radical polymerisation; End groups; Exact sciences and technology; Molecular spectroscopy; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymerization; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; End groups; Atom transfer radical polymerisation; Molecular spectroscopy; End group; Molecular structure; Chlorine Organic compounds; Atom transfer polymerization; Methyl methacrylate polymer; Bromine Organic compounds; Copper complex; Experimental study; Functional group
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2005.12.029

A combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-collision induced dissociation (MALDI-CID) mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy has been employed for the characterisation of low molecular weight poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) that was generated by means atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP). Evidence for the presence of a variety end group structures is shown. The terminating end groups included a five-membered lactone ring as well as the expected halogen (bromine or chlorine). Oligomers with other terminating end groups are proposed to be present at low abundance in the polymers.