ATRP grafting from silica surface to create first and second generation of grafts

Summary

(11'-Chlorodimethylsilylundecyl)-2-chloro-2-phenylacetate 2 as an atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) initiator was bound covalently to the surface of silica. ATRP grafting of styrene monomer from the silica surface was achieved and the grafts were detached from the solid particles for analysis. It is shown that after polymerisation of a first generation of grafts and work-up of the thus grafted silica the chain ends of the grafts are still active to initiate a second monomer feed to further chain growth.