Synthesis of Amphiphilic and Double‐Hydrophilic Block Copolymers Containing Poly(vinyl amine) Segments by RAFT Polymerization of N‐Vinylphthalimide

We report on the controlled synthesis of amphiphilic and double‐hydrophilic block copolymers having poly(vinyl amine) segments by the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of N‐vinylphthalimide (NVPI), followed by deprotection. The block copolymer poly(NVPI)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) with a controlled molecular weight and low molecular mass distribution was obtained by the polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) using dithiocarbamate‐terminated poly(NVPI). The chain extension from the dithiocarbamate‐terminated polystyrene to NVPI could be controlled well under suitable conditions, and provided the block copolymer, polystyrene‐b‐poly(NVPI). We also investigated the thermoresponsive and optoelectronic properties and the aggregation behavior of double hydrophilic and amphiphilic block copolymers obtained after deprotection.