Light-Controlled Cationic RAFT Polymerization of Vinyl Ethers Using N-Arylacridinium Photocatalysts

In recent years, organophotocatalytic polymerizations have received significant interest as they enable metal-free and highly efficient macromolecular syntheses. Herein, we disclose the development of N-arylacridinium salts as an effective class of photocatalysts that could mediate the cationic reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of vinyl ethers with visible light regulation. Owing to their high stability and matched redox potentials with trithiocarbonate chain transfer agents, N-arylacridinium salts are capable of achieving excellent temporal control over this cationic RAFT polymerization at room temperature under the regulation of blue and green light.