Mechanorphore-Based Poly(Glycidyl Methacrylate) Synthesized by Atom Transfer Living Radical Polymerization

Mechanorphore-based Poly (glycidyl methacrylate) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in bulk by using spiropyran-based initiator, CuCl in combination with N,N,N’,N’’,N’’-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as catalyst. The resultant polymer was characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The relative molecular mass of PGMA can be changed by polymerization time. The resultant polymers have controlled molecular weight and low polydispersity. The present synthetic strategy provides a convenient and efficient method to synthesize mechanophore-linked PGMA which can be ulteriorly crosslinked to form thermosetting polymer networks.