Visible light-triggered non-deoxygenated PET-RAFT polymerization by heterogeneous conjugated microporous polymer photocatalysts

Due to its excellent spatiotemporal control and benign reaction conditions, photoelectron/energy transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization has received a lot of attention. In this study, TAPPY-DTDD-CMP was created and used as a photocatalyst for non-deoxygenated PET-RAFT polymerization under visible light irradiation, producing polymethacrylates with adjustable molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution. The effects of the dosages of the catalyst, electron sacrificial agents, and different light sources were carefully examined in the polymerization process. To explore deeper into the underlying mechanism of the tolerance of the polymerization to oxygen, oxygen monitoring studies were also conducted. In addition to allowing the RAFT process to effectively use light and be light-dependent, TAPPY-DTDD-CMP also demonstrates good controllability and adaptability toward different monomers. High catalytic efficiency, stability, reusability, and the capacity to design its structure at the atomic level are further benefits of TAPPY-DTDD-CMP. The range of non-deoxygenated photocatalysts suited for PET-RAFT process conditions is expanded overall by TAPPY-DTDD-CMP. A novel pyrene-based heterogeneous conjugated microporous polymer photocatalyst can mediate oxygen-tolerant PET-RAFT polymerization without prior deoxygenation.