The living radical alternating copolymerization of styrene and maleic anhydride mediated by the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization process has been studied at short chain lengths using two different dithiobenzoate RAFT agents. The results indicate specificity of addition of the RAFT-agent leaving groups for either styrene or maleic anhydride. The addition rate of the monomers and the fact that monomers are added individually favour the penultimate unit model of polymer propagation.

Polymers V 0800Investigation into the Initialization Behavior of RAFT-Mediated Styrene-Maleic Anhydride Copolymerizations. -(VAN DEN DUNGEN, E. T. A.; RINQUEST, J.; PRETORIUS, N. O.; MCKENZIE, J. M.; MCLEARY, J. B.; SANDERSON, R. D.; KLUMPERMAN*, B.; Aust. J. Chem. 59 (2006) 10, 742-748; Dep. Chem. Polym. Sci., Univ. Stellenbosch, Matieland 7602, S. Afr.; Eng.) -Lindner 06-216