Abstract
A reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent, 2-((2-(((dodecylthio)carbonothioyl)thio)propanoyl)oxy)ethyl acrylate (DTEA), was synthesized through the condensation reaction of 2-(dodecylthio-carbonothioylthio) propanoic acid with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate. DTEA is a bifunctional molecule which is characterized by having one double bond and one thiocarbonylthio group. Branched poly(methyl acrylate)s (BPMAs) were prepared through one-step radical polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) in the presence of DTEA. 1H NMR spectra of the polymers were used to study the degree of branching (DB). The DB values of the three prepared BPMAs were calculated to be 0.46, 0.18 and 0.087, respectively. It was found that the DB value could be adjusted by controlling the ratio of MA to DTEA.