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University of Wyoming

UW Technologies Available for Licensing

Technology Disclosure: 06-027 Highly Active Catalyst for Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
 

Preparation of polymers and copolymers having predictable molecular weights and well-defined architectures can be accomplished via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). However, the high concentration of transition metal catalysts required for the successful reaction causes those same catalysts to precipitate with the product, often leading to highly problematic levels of contamination. Thus, the technical challenge faced in the polymer community is how to reduce the quantity of residual catalyst in the product. Methods currently in use include post-purification washing, reprecipitation, and absorption. These methodologies lead to higher cost and loss of polymer as well as the ever present difficulty with regard to scaling up the reaction from the bench/laboratory setting to full-scale industrial use.

Researchers in the University of Wyoming have developed and filed a patent application on a novel method to increase catalyst activity allowing for decreased catalyst concentration. Ultimately this catalyst has enhanced activity and smaller concentrations which allow it to remain in the product with very small economic impact and negligible impact on product quality. Tests have shown that this new catalyst has very high activity for methyl acrylate (MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and styrene (St) polymerizations. At 1 mol % catalyst (relative to initiator) is sufficient to produce these products, all having well-controlled molecular weights and low polydispersities (1.15, 1.24, and 1.18 for MA, MMA, and St respectively). The level of catalyst concentration approximately 30 ppm followed by one precipation which reduced the level of catalyst contamination to merely several ppm. These extremely low levels require no post-purification or catalyst recycling in an industrial setting. Thus, this new catalyst, has very promising results for industrial ATRP polymer/copolymer reactions.

CONTACT INFORMATION
If your company would like to learn more about this technology and how your company may help us develop it or apply it in commercial situations, please contact the director of the University of Wyoming Research Products Center, Davona Douglass.