[Skip to Content](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#main-content) [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en) Products Cart0 USEN Products ProductsApplicationsServicesResourcesSupport [Login / Register](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/oidc-sign-in) [Order Lookup](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/order-lookup) [Quick Order](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/quick-order) Cart0 [Home](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en)[Polymer Synthesis Techniques](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/applications/materials-science-and-engineering/polymer-synthesis)Evaluation of RAFT Agents # Evaluation of RAFT Agents __Jeremy Bartels, Sebastian Grajales, Kaushik Patel, Kanth V. B. Josyula, Gangadhar Panambur and Scott Batcheller__ ## RAFT polymerization process In 1998, members of an Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization (CSIRO) team discovered the RAFT polymerization method.1  ## Why use RAFT methods? - The process allows radical-initiated growing polymer chains to degeneratively transfer reactivity from one to another through the use of key functional groups (dithioesters, trithiocarbonates, xanthates and dithiocarbamates). - RAFT agents help to minimize out-of-control growth and prevent unwanted termination events from occurring, effectively controlling polymer properties like molecular weight and polydispersity. - RAFT agents are commercially available. - RAFT does not use any cytotoxic heavy metal components (unlike ATRP). ## Classes of RAFT agents   - __Dithiocarbamates__  Z1 is typically -Me or other alkyl Z2 is typically -Ph or other aromatic - __Xanthates__  Z is typically an alkyl chain (Et) - __Dithioesters__  Z can vary widely, but is typically -Ph - __Trithiocarbonates__  Z is typically an alkyl group (C12H25, etc.) ## Versatility of RAFT - RAFT is compatible with most functional groups and solvents, including water. - RAFT polymerizations are often mildly tolerant to oxygen content, especially when compared to living anionic polymerizations. - RAFT agents may be tuned to give polymers with telechelic functionality, for further processing/ binding events. - The RAFT technique requires no special equipment or vacuum glassware. - RAFT polymers can be applied to any field, from electronics to cell biology. ## Compatibility table  ## RAFT efficacy A series of five RAFT polymerizations were carried out using our RAFT agents, monomers, and initiators: | | | | | | | | |-------------------|-----------|-------------|------------|------------|------------|------| | Polymer | Conv (%); | MnTheo (Da) | MnNMR (Da) | MwGPC (Da) | MnGPC (Da) | PDI | | 1\. P*t*BA | 33% | 4,600 | 4,800 | 5,000 | 4,700 | 1.06 | | 2\. P*t*BA-*b*-PS | 35% | 7,400 | 7,200 | 7,200 | 6,300 | 1.15 | | 3\. PEO-*b*-PS | 29% | 7,300 | 7,400 | 7,000 | 6,300 | 1.04 | | 4\. PVAc | 65% | 12,300 | 12,300 | 18,000 | 14,800 | 1.21 | | 5\. PMMA | 60% | 15,400 | 15,000 | 16,400 | 14,900 | 1.10 | ### New class of RAFT CTAs: Universal, pH-switchable RAFT agents  ## Materials Sorry, an unexpected error has occurred Response not successful: Received status code 500 ### References 1\. Chiefari J, Chong YK(, Ercole F, Krstina J, Jeffery J, Le TPT, Mayadunne RTA, Meijs GF, Moad CL, Moad G, et al. 1998. Living Free-Radical Polymerization by Reversible Addition?Fragmentation Chain Transfer:  The RAFT Process. Macromolecules. 31(16):5559-5562. [https://doi.org/10.1021/ma9804951](https://doi.org/10.1021/ma9804951) ## Acknowledgements - Shashi Jasty, Ph.D. - John Radke - Ilya Koltover, Ph.D. - Angel Thompson __Related Articles__ - [Role of High Purity Metal Salts in Chemical Synthesis](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/role-of-high-purity-metal-salts-in-chemical-synthesis) - [Carbon Nanofiber Applications & Properties](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/batteries-supercapacitors-and-fuel-cells/carbon-nanofibers) - [Nano Minerals: Nanoclays](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/bioelectronics/nano-minerals-nanoclays) - [Universal Platform for Surface Modification Employing Grafted Polymer Layers](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/biosensors-and-imaging/universal-platform) - [Continuous Flow Monomer Synthesis](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/contact-lens-and-dental-manufacturing/continuous-flow-manufacturing) - [High-Purity Monomers & Polymers for Ophthalmic Applications](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/contact-lens-and-dental-manufacturing/high-purity-monomers-and-polymers-for-ophthalmic-applications) - [Innovative Materials for Glass Ionomer Cements (GICs): Dental Applications](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/contact-lens-and-dental-manufacturing/innovative-ionomers-for-dental-applications) - [The Progress in Development of Dental Restorative Materials](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/contact-lens-and-dental-manufacturing/the-progress-in-development) - [View More](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/search/facet-search?focus=sitecontent&term=facet-search) Top __Sign In To Continue__ To continue reading please sign in or create an account. 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