Lecture-Compatible Lab Session and Associated Homework Assignments to Provide Practical Experience with Design, Setup, and Analysis of RAFT Polymerizations

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) is a controlled radical polymerization technique for synthesizing complex, well-defined, low-dispersity polymers in both cutting-edge scientific research and large-scale industrial applications, such as personal care products, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and sustainable materials. The versatility and predictability of RAFT make it a highly effective platform to teach students about controlled polymerization methods and characterization techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Existing curricula involve 8–12-h protocols in dedicated lab courses or lecture modules, making experience with RAFT less accessible. Here, we present a set of activities that provide practical experience with the design, setup, and analysis of RAFT polymerization exercise, including setup in a single, optional 1-h lab period and three associated homework assignments completed outside of the lab session. These exercises show how modulating the [monomer]:[chain transfer agent (CTA)] and [CTA]:[initiator] ratios impacts polymer molecular weight, conversion, and dispersity. The relevant characterization data, homework assignments, and a video demonstration are provided in the Supporting Information to facilitate experience with RAFT polymerization design, setup, and data analysis for instructors and students in a lecture-based course.