Aqueous RAFT polymerization of N-acryloylmorpholine, synthesis of an ABA triblock glycopolymer and study of its self-association behavior

Abstract

The RAFT polymerization of N-acryloylmorpholine with a symmetric trithiocarbonate was investigated in homogeneous aqueous solution. The effects of temperature and of a high magnetic field were examined and RAFT experiments were compared with the corresponding conventional radical polymerizations. For all temperatures tested, the molar mass of the polymer increased linearly with conversion and closely matched the theoretical value. Molar mass dispersities were in the range 1.05–1.16 and the presence of a magnetic field had little effect on the rate of RAFT polymerizations, although the latter were systematically slower than the corresponding conventional processes. A uniform ABA triblock glycopolymer was prepared, which formed unilamellar polymersomes with a diameter of 380 nm in 91% (v/v) THF/water mixture.