One-pot synthesis of dual supramolecular associative copolymers by using a novel acrylate monomer bearing urethane and pendant pyridine groups

We here realize a highly efficient synthesis, i.e. , one-pot synthesis, of dual supramolecular associative copolymers, by using a novel acrylate monomer (coded as 4PyA) bearing urethane and pendant pyridine groups. In the RAFT copolymerization of 4PyA and ethyl acrylate (EA), the radical reactivity ratios of both 4PyA and EA are analyzed to be close to 1. Blending a metal salt leads to coordination with the pyridine group while the urethane group forms a self-complementary hydrogen bond, generating a dual supramolecular network. A highly efficient, one-pot synthesis of dual supramolecular associative copolymers is demonstrated by utilizing a novel acrylate monomer bearing urethane and pendant pyridine groups.