LAUSR

The dual-initiator technique allows the polymerization of different monomers from orthogonal polymerization mechanisms to obtain block copolymers (BCPs). In this study, we attempted to combine photoiniferter living free radical polymerization and organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) to design a hydroxyl-functionalized carbamodithioate, i.e., 4-(hydroxymethyl)benzyl diethylcarbamodithioate (HBDC), which can integrate photoiniferter polymerization of acrylamide monomers and ROP of cyclic carbonates. As a proof of concept, the monomer applicability was further extended to acrylates and lactones. The results confirmed that the two polymerization systems were experimentally compatible in a stepwise sequence as well as in a simultaneous one-pot process to synthesize BCPs. It was reasonable to assume that HBDC could allow for simple and efficient one-pot access to well-defined BCPs from a larger range of monomers, which was more advantageous from the operational, economic, and environmental points of view. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.