Preparation of Poly(N-Vinylcaprolactam) (NVCL) and Statistical Copolymers of NVCL with Variable Cloud Point Temperature by Using A Trithiocarbonate RAFT Agent

Preparation of PNVCL controlling its molecular weight and maintaining low dispersities by using a trithiocarbonate RAFT agent was achieved. Typical RAFT kinetics were not observed, nevertheless the prepared polymers were reactivated to grow a second hydrophobic poly(hexyl acrylate) block. A series of statistical copolymers of NVCL with N‐vinyl pyrrolidone, n‐hexyl acrylate, methacrylic acid, 2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and 2‐(methacryloyloxy)benzoic acid with controlled dispersity were also prepared. By this copolymerization method the cloud point temperature of PNVCL was varied from 27 °C to 42 °C depending on comonomer type, content and pH of the aqueous solution.