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1596439 
Journal Article 
Synthesis and characterization of azobenzene-functionalized poly(styrene)-b-poly(vinyl acetate) via the combination of RAFT and "click" chemistry 
Xue, X; Zhu, J; Zhang, Z; Cheng, Z; Tu, Y; Zhu, X 
2010 
1 
Polymer
ISSN: 0032-3861 
51 
14 
3083-3090 
WOS:000279181400020 
Here, we described a strategy for preparing well-defined
block copolymers, poly(styrene)-b-poly(vinyl acetate) (PS-b-PVAc), containing middle azobenzene
moiety via the combination of the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)
polymerization and ""click"" chemistry. Firstly, a novel RAFT agent containing alpha-alkyne and
azobenzene chromophore in R group, 2-(3-ethynylphenylazophenoxy carbonyl)prop-2-yl-9H-carbazole-
9-carbodithioate (EACDT), was synthesized and used to mediate the RAFT polymerization of styrene
(St). Well-defined a-alkyne end-functionalized poly(styrene) (PS) was obtained. Secondly, the
RAFT polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) was conducted using functionalized RAFT reagent with
omega-azide structure in Z group, O-(2-azidoethyl) S-benzyl dithiocarbonate (AEBDC). Well-defined
omega-azide end-functionalized poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) was obtained. Afterwards, the resulting
alpha-alkyne terminated PS was coupled by ""click"" chemistry with the azide terminated PVAc. The
block copolymer, PS-b-PVAc, was obtained with tailored structures. The products from each step
were characterized and confirmed by GPC, (1)H NMR, IR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
examination. Kinetics of the trans-cis-trans isomerization from azobenzene chromophore in PS-b-
PVAc and PS were investigated in CHCl(3) solutions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
Click chemistry; Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT); Azo polymer