Synthesis of well-defined poly[(2-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)ethyl acrylate] by atom transfer radical polymerization

The ‘living’ radical polymerization of 2-(2′,3′,4′,6′-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)ethyl acrylate (AcGEA) by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is reported. It has been found that the polymerization kinetics are first-order, the molecular weights increase linearly with conversion, and the molecular weight distribution remains narrow when the polymerization conversion is below 70%. Well-defined P(AcGEA) was obtained, and the O-protecting acetyl groups of P(AcGEA) were quantitatively removed by reacting with dilute CH3ONa solution in CHCl3/CH3OH to afford well-defined poly[(2-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)ethyl acrylate] (PGEA).