Final answer:
The feasibility of using ascorbic acid + copper or ferrous iron as oxygen scavengers in RAFT polymerization depends on their reactivity and efficiency. The choice of scavenger would depend on reaction conditions and desired polymerization rate. Unlike photocatalysts, they directly react with oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The feasibility of using ascorbic acid + copper or ferrous iron as oxygen scavengers in RAFT polymerization is dependent on their ability to effectively react with oxygen molecules and remove them from the reaction mixture. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a reducing agent and can donate electrons to oxygen, converting it into water.
Copper can also catalyze the reduction of oxygen, while ferrous iron can react with oxygen to form iron oxide.
Although both ascorbic acid + copper and ferrous iron can scavenge oxygen, they may have different reactivity and efficiency in RAFT polymerization.
The choice of which oxygen scavenger to use would depend on several factors, including the reaction conditions, the desired polymerization rate, and the compatibility of the scavenger with other components in the reaction mixture.
In comparison to using photocatalysts, the use of ascorbic acid + copper or ferrous iron as oxygen scavengers in RAFT polymerization would not involve the excitation of electrons by light and the generation of reactive intermediates. Instead, they would directly react with oxygen to remove it from the reaction mixture.