Synthesis and applications of a Y-inimer with two orthogonal controlled free radical polymerization initiators

We report the synthesis of a Y-shaped inimer that contains two orthogonal initiators for ATRP and NMP. The inimer is synthesized through a one-pot multi-component reaction that vastly simplifies the typically cumbersome synthesis of similar compounds. The Y-inimer has the versatility to be homopolymerized into a backbone for A/B Janus bottlebrush synthesis or copolymerized with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and cross-linked into an ultra-thin coating for mixed A/B brush growth from planar surfaces. Importantly, the Y-shaped nature of the inimer ensures growth of A and B brushes are consistently in a 1:1 ratio. We demonstrate the application of the Y-inimer in the synthesis of a PMMA/PS Janus bottlebrush as well as two different mixed A/B polymer brushes, one with the ability to microphase separate, and a second mixed polyelectrolyte brush with opposite charges. The inimer is compatible with various A/B monomer systems and offers a universal approach to the "grafting-from" polymerization of dual vinyl polymer side chains. This study provides a unique way of utilizing multi-component reactions in polymer chemistry to access complex functional architectures. image