Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Polymerization in Undergraduate Polymer Science Lab

This 8-hour experiment (spread over two 4-hour sessions) is designed to equip students with essential skills in polymer synthesis, particularly in synthesizing polymers of well-defined molecular weight. The experiment involves the synthesis and characterization of poly(vinyl neodecanoate) via living free radical polymerization, specifically the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process. The commercial availability of the RAFT agent employed (ethylxanthogenacetic acid) enables an efficient laboratory practice without recourse to extensive synthetic chemistry. Through the current experiment, undergraduate students gain invaluable laboratory experience in one of the living free radical polymerization techniques that has revolutionized contemporary polymer science.