Aqueous RAFT/MADIX Polymerization: Same Monomers, New Polymers?

Thanks to their specific reactivity in RAFT/MADIX polymerization, O-ethyl xanthates are chain transfer agents of choice for controlling the polymerization of “less-activated” monomers (LAMs). In particular, hydrophilic LAMs can be polymerized in water by means of either water-soluble or hydrophobic xanthates in some appropriate conditions. Through the description of successful aqueous RAFT/MADIX polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone, diallydimethylammonium chloride and vinylphosphonic acid monomers, which strongly differ in their chemical nature and physicochemical properties of the resulting polymers, it is expected that various original water-soluble copolymers with complex architectures will be available in the future.