Riboflavin-Catalyzed Photoinduced Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

The photoATRP of methyl acrylate (MA) is investigated using riboflavin (RF) and CuBr2/Me6TREN as a dual catalyst system under green LED irradiation (lambda approximate to 525 nm). Both RF and CuBr2/Me6TREN enhanced oxygen tolerance, enabling effective ATRP in the presence of residual oxygen. High molar mass polymers (up to Mn approximate to 129 000 g<middle dot>mol-1) with low dispersity (& Dstrok; <= 1.16) are prepared, and chain-end fidelity is confirmed through successful chain extension. The molecular masses of the obtained polymer increased linearly with conversion and showed high initiation efficiency. Mechanistic studies by laser flash photolysis reveal that the predominant activator generation mechanism is reductive quenching of RF by Me6TREN (83%, under [CuBr2]/[Me6TREN] = 1/3 condition), supported by polymerization kinetics and thermodynamic calculations. PhotoATRP of methyl acrylate with riboflavin (RF) and CuBr2/Me6TREN as a dual catalytic system is successfully carried out under a green LED light. The process demonstrated high chain-end fidelity, efficient oxygen tolerance, and controlled polymerization kinetics, driven primarily by reductive quenching of RF. It offers a sustainable approach to well-defined polymers. image