Pyrazino[2,3-<italic style="font-style: italic">f</italic>][1,10]phenanthroline Derivatives as Photoredox Catalysts for Photoinduced Organocatalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (O-ATRP) at ppm-Level Loading

Wen-Zhe Xu; Wan-Chao Hu; Bei Liu; Chang-Li Lü

doi:10.1007/s10118-025-3540-2

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Pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline Derivatives as Photoredox Catalysts for Photoinduced Organocatalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (O-ATRP) at ppm-Level Loading

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-02-13

- Pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline Derivatives as Photoredox Catalysts for Photoinduced Organocatalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (O-ATRP) at ppm-Level Loading
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Issue 3, Pages: 664-674(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  Jilin Provincial key Laboratory of Sustainable Advanced Functional Materials, College of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
- Author bio：
  
  lucl055@nenu.edu.cn
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-025-3540-2
  CLC：
- Received：22 September 2025，
  
  Accepted：16 December 2025，
  
  Online First：06 February 2026，
  
  Published：15 March 2026
- Accepted：
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Xu, W. Z.; Hu, W. C.; Liu, B.; Lü, C. L. Pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline derivatives as photoredox catalysts for photoinduced organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) at ppm-level loading. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 664–674

Wen-Zhe Xu, Wan-Chao Hu, Bei Liu, et al. Pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline Derivatives as Photoredox Catalysts for Photoinduced Organocatalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (O-ATRP) at ppm-Level Loading[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(3): 664-674. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-025-3540-2.
Xu, W. Z.; Hu, W. C.; Liu, B.; Lü, C. L. Pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline derivatives as photoredox catalysts for photoinduced organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) at ppm-level loading. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 664–674 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-025-3540-2.

Wen-Zhe Xu, Wan-Chao Hu, Bei Liu, et al. Pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline Derivatives as Photoredox Catalysts for Photoinduced Organocatalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (O-ATRP) at ppm-Level Loading[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(3): 664-674. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-025-3540-2. DOI：

摘要

Screening of six pyzPhen-based photocatalysts identified two thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) derivatives that facilitated organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) with an ultralow loading of 50 ppm

offering precise temporal control under visible light and broad applicability.

Abstract

Organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) is a pivotal technique for the synthesis of polymers with well-defined structures that are devoid of metallic residues. A major challenge in this area is the reduction of catalyst loading while maintaining precise control over polymer architecture and properties. Herein

we systematically evaluate the efficacy of six pyrazino[2

]

phenanthroline (pyzPhen)-based photoredox catalysts in photoinduced O-ATRP. Experimental results indicate that the introduction of various substituents markedly influences the photophysical properties and redox behavior of the catalysts

thereby resulting in differing catalytic efficiencies in the O-ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA). Following additional optimization

two highly efficient O-ATRP photocatalysts capable of exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) were successfully identified. Under visible light irradiation

TADF catalysts effectively mediated the controlled polymerization of MMA at a low loading level of 50 ppm

particularly when used in conjunction with the initiator DBMM. The catalytic systems demonstrate excellent temporal control

broad monomer applicability

and favorable co

mpatibility with various initiators and solvent systems. This work offers new insights into the development of efficient

low-catalyst-loading

metal-free ATRP systems.

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Pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline Derivatives as Photoredox Catalysts for Photoinduced Organocatalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (O-ATRP) at ppm-Level Loading

DOI：10.1007/s10118-025-3540-2

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