Cobalt(I)-mediated living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The living atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) catalyzed by a cobalt (I) complex in the presence of alkyl halides was investigated. The solvent tetrahydrofuran (THF) was distilled from sodium benzophenone ketyl solutions under reduced pressure just before use. The living nature of the polymerization was found to be strongly depending on the kind of halogen ligand in the cobalt catalyst. The results suggest that PMMA with a narrow polydispersity is obtainable under mild conditions with a new and cheap metal source in the absence any additives. The iodine in the metal center, has been revealed to play an important role that enables an equilibrium reaction between dormant and radical species.