Metal-free atom transfer radical polymerization with ppm catalyst loading under sunlight

Abstract Organocatalytic atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) is recently emerging as an appealing method for the synthesis of metal-free polymer materials with well-defined microstructures and architectures. However, development highly effective catalysts that can be employed at a practical low loading are still challenging task. Herein, we introduce catalyst design logic based on heteroatom-doping polycyclic arenes, which leads to discovery oxygen-doped anthanthrene (ODA) organic photoredox O-ATRP. In comparison known organocatalysts, ODAs feature strong visible-light absorption together high molar extinction coefficient (? 455nm up 23,950 M –1 cm ), allow establishment controlled under sunlight ppm levels loading.