Controlled radical polymerization of styrene in miniemulsion polymerization using reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer

Abstract Miniemulsion polymerizations of styrene in the presence of two reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) agents were studied. The rates were significantly retarded by the presence of a RAFT agents S -(thiobenzoyl)thioglycolic acid, 1 , or dithiobenzoic acid 1-phenylethyl ester, 2 . Control in miniemulsion polymerization is not as good as for bulk polymerizations. The miniemulsions could also be stabilized against Ostwald ripening by a polymer terminated by a dithiobenzoic moiety. In this case, the polymerization was not controlled because of the generation of renucleated particles. To cite this article: I. Uzulina et al., C. R. Chimie 6 (2003).