We establish a synthetically convenient method to degrade
polyacrylate
homopolymers. Carboxylic acids are installed along the polymer backbone
by partial hydrolysis of the ester side chains, and then, in a one-pot
sequential procedure, the carboxylic acids are converted into alkenes
and oxidatively cleaved. This process enables the robustness and properties
of polyacrylates to be maintained during their usable lifetime. The
ability to tune the degree of degradation was demonstrated by varying
the carboxylic acid content of the polymers. This method is compatible
with a wide range of polymers prepared from vinyl monomers through
copolymerization of acrylic acid with different monomers including
acrylates, acrylamides, and styrenics.