Xanthate-Mediated Controlled Radical Polymerizations of N-Vinylcarbazole and Synthesis of Star Polymers

Well-defined poly(N-vinylcarbazole), poly(NVC), was synthesized by macromolecular design via interchange of the xanthate (MADIX)/reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in the presence of a suitable xanthate-type chain transfer agent (CTA). Good control of the polymerization was confirmed by the linear first-order kinetic plot, the molecular weight controlled by the monomer/CTA molar ratio, linear increase in the molecular weight with the conversion, and the ability to extend the chains by the second addition of the monomer. Star polymers having various architectures were also synthesized using this technique.