Polimerizzazioni RAFT Fotoiniziate da Arilazo Solfoni e Strategie Complementari di Polimerizzazione Fotoiniziate

This thesis was mainly focused on the development of visible-light-induced RAFT polymerizations using arylazo sulfones as photochemical radical sources. Two arylazo sulfones and two hydroxyl-functionalized RAFT agents were synthesized and characterized and subsequently employed in the development and optimization of the photo-RAFT process. The system was investigated by varying the chain-transfer agent, arylazo sulfone, monomer, and targeted degree of polymerization. Complementary polymerization strategies were also explored, including the photoinduced ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone, preliminary O-ATRP studies, and sequential RAFT/ROP approaches aimed at the preparation of block copolymers.