Application of novel ionic liquids for reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methacrylonitrile without any additional ligand

Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methacrylonitrile (MAN) initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was approached for the first time in the absence of any ligand in four novel ionic liquids, 1-methylimidazolium acetate ([mim][AT]), 1-methylimidazolium butyrate ([mim][BT]), 1-methylimidazolium caproate ([mim][CT]), and 1-methylimidazolium heptylate ([mim][HT]). The polymerization in [mim][AT] not only showed the best control of molecular weight and its distribution but also provided a more rapid reaction rate with the ratio of [MAN]:[FeCl₃]:[AIBN] at 300:2:1. The block copolymer PMAN-b-PSt was obtained via a conventional ATRP process in [mim][AT] by using the resulting PMAN as a macroinitiator. After simple purification, [mim][AT] and FeCl₃ could be easily recycled and reused and had no effect on the living nature of reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of MAN.