In vitro synthesis of nearly ultra high molecular weight (NUHMW) polymers using solvent-water suspension method

An easy method for the synthesis of nearly ultra high molecular weight (NUHMW) polymers has been reported in the present investigation for the first time. The method involves the interaction of some suitable reagents of appropriate concentrations and stoichiometry through solvent-water suspension polymerization in addition to radical polymerization, leading to the formation of polymers with optimal yield and high percentage purity. The molecular weight of these polymers can be tailored by varying the acrylonitrile-water and acrylonitrile-DMF ratios, and it is found that presence/absence of sulfuric acid kept in closed conditions has some significant effect on the molecular weight of these polymers. The initiation has been found very slow under ambient conditions, but once a small amount of the material is formed, it takes only a few hours for the conversion of the bulk reaction mixture into the product and sunlight (visible region of spectrum only) shows a positive effect on the synthesis of such polymers. These polymers are of molecular weight greater than 340,000 Da and are soluble in DMSO and DMF solvents only.