Photoinduced electron/energy transfer–reversible
addition–fragmentation
chain transfer (PET–RAFT) polymerization represents a versatile
and highly efficient method for polymerizations of wide-ranging monomer
variances upon solar energy harvesting. Although significant progress
has been achieved, several drawbacks are still associated with existing
photocatalysts, such as toxicity of transition metals, high cost,
poor stability, and unavoidable purification procedures because of
the photobleaching effect, to name a few. Herein, 1,4-diethynylbenzene-linked
xanthene dye-conjugated porous polymers (CPPs) have been established
as potential heterogenous photocatalysts of PET–RAFT polymerization.
With this two-dimensional planar architecture, we demonstrate dual-stimuli
toggling of RAFT polymerization using two different external physical
manipulations: light “ON”/“OFF” and solution
pH “LOW”/“HIGH”. In addition, these CPPs
endowed radical polymerizations with various impressive features such
as compatibility of diverse monomer formulations, unique oxygen tolerance,
and ppm-level catalyst dosage. Demonstrations of chain extension and
catalyst recycling further highlight the robustness and performance
of this CPP catalyst. Through the study of structure–property
relationship using the experimental analyses, we envisage that a series
of xanthene dye-functionalized CPPs can be developed as visible light-absorbing
organocatalysts rivaling transition-metal photocatalysts.