Syndiotactic‐specific radical polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide in toluene at low temperatures in the presence of silyl alcohols

The radical polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) was carried out in toluene at low temperatures in the presence of silyl alcohols, such as triethylsilanol (TESiOH). Poly(NIPAAm) with a racemo dyad content of 75 % was obtained at –80 °C with a 4:1 TESiOH to monomer ratio loading. NMR analysis has suggested that the mechanism for syndiotactic induction, in the presence of silyl alcohols, may be similar to that observed with alkyl alcohols. In this case, a 1:2 complex formation, via hydrogen bonding interactions, leads to the induction of syndiotactic specificity.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Hirano, T., Kamikubo, T. and Ute, K. (2012), Syndiotactic‐specific radical polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide in toluene at low temperatures in the presence of silyl alcohols. Polym. Int., 61: 966-970., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/pi.4166. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.