Cu(II)‐Mediated ATRP of MMA by Using a Novel Tetradentate Amine Ligand with Oligo(ethylene glycol) Pendant Groups

Abstract A novel tetradentate amine ligand namely N , N , N ′, N ″, N ‴;, N ‴;‐hexaoligo(ethylene glycol) triethylenetetramine (HOEGTETA) was employed in the homogenous ATRP of MMA in anisole using CuBr and CuBr 2 as the catalyst and ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate (EB i B) as an initiator. The effect of the polymerization temperature and the various ratios of Cu(I) to Cu(II) were investigated in detail. Moreover, we demonstrated the ATRP of MMA by using only Cu(II) in the absence of any free radical initiator, reducing agent, or air. The ATRP of MMA with the use of only Cu(II) and HOEGTETA or N , N , N ′, N ″, N ″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) resulted in well‐defined PMMA. magnified image