Putting the RAFT in GRAFT: intermolecular graft exchange between bottlebrush polymers using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer

A versatile synthetic methodology is presented for the preparation of graft copolymers with mixed graft distributions using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). The approach harnesses the ability of Z group-tethered grafts to fragment off the backbone to facilitate intermolecular graft exchange reactions between distinct starting materials.