Development of n new class of rate-accelerating additives for nitroxide- mediated 'living' free radical polymerization

Acylating agents have been identified as a new class of rate accelerating additives for nitroxide-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization. It is found that addition of 1 weight percent of acetic anhydride results in a significant decrease in the reaction time, 48 to 4 hours. This decrease in reaction time leads to greater control over the polymerization process with low polydispersity materials being obtained up to 150 000 a.m.u. A possible explanation for this effect is acylation of the alkoxyamine nitrogen leading to an increase in the lability of the C-ON bond.