Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization of Isobutyl Methacrylate

The reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) bulk polymerization of isobutyl methacrylate (i‐BMA) has been studied using 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithionaphthalate (CPDN) as RAFT agent in the presence of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The results of polymerizations of i‐BMA show that i‐BMA can polymerize in a controlled way by RAFT polymerization using CPDN as RAFT agent; i.e., the polymerization rate is first order with respect to monomer concentration, molecular weight increases linearly with monomer conversion, and polydispersities are relatively low (PDI < 1.2). The structure of the polymer was characterized by 1H‐NMR. A chain‐extension experiment of the resulting polymer was successfully carried out. The influences of [i‐BMA]0/[CPDN]0/[AIBN]0 molar ratio and reaction temperature were investigated.