Optimization of organotellurium transfer agents for highly controlled living radical polymerization

A study was conducted to demonstrate the untransferable substituent L on the tellurium atom that significantly influences the group transfer reaction and leads to an increase in the control over the molecular weight distribution in organo-tellurium-mediated living radical polymerization (TERP). It was observed that the effect of substituent L in organotellanyl group reaction leads to the generation of new, highly efficient transfer agents for TERP. An alternative method was used for increasing the PDI control. It was found that the organostibines and organobismuthines serve as efficient transfer agents in living radical polymerization. The development of the organotellurium transfer agents is highly desirable because it was found more stable and easily handled than the heteroatom compounds. A significant high-level of control was observed by using organotellurium transfer agents that possessing aryl group as the untransferable substituent L.