Patent · US Active

Atom transfer radical polymerization in microemulsion and true emulsion polymerization processes

US8273823B2 · kind B2 · utility

21Cited by
115References
63Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateAug 23, 2006
Grant dateSep 25, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 23, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC08F2438/01
  • WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The invention is directed to a microemulsion polymerization comprising adding a polymerization catalyst precursor, such as a transition metal complex in the higher of two accessible oxidation states, an ATRP initiator, and an organic solvent to an aqueous solution to form an emulsion. Radically polymerizable monomers and a reducing agent may then be added to the emulsion. The reducing agent converts the catalyst precursor to a catalyst for polymerization of the first monomer from the initiator. In certain embodiments the organic solvent may comprise radically polymerizable monomers. The aqueous solution may comprise a surfactant. Further embodiments are directed to an ah initio polymerization process comprising adding a polymerization catalyst precursor; an ATRP initiator, and an organic solvent to an aqueous solution to form an emulsion, wherein the organic solvent comprises second radically polymerizable monomers, adding a reducing agent to convert the catalyst precursor to a catalyst for polymerization of the first radically polymerizable monomer from the initiator; and adding first radically polymerizable monomers to the emulsion.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.