Synthesis of Multivalent Organotellurium Chain-Transfer Agents by Post-modification and Their Applications in Living Radical Polymerization.

Functionalized or multivalent organotellurium chain-transfer agents (CTAs) for living radical polymerization were synthesized by post-modification, which involved the condensation between a carboxylic-acid-functionalized CTA and various amines in excellent yields without affecting the reactive tellurium moiety. The CTAs exhibited high synthetic versatility for radical polymerization and gave structurally well-controlled polymers, such as multiarmed polymers, from various monomers. Because all new CTAs are easily available on a large scale by simple purification, the current method significantly facilitates macromolecular engineering based on organotellurium-mediated radical polymerization (TERP).