P3R team
Created in 2007, the “Precision polymers by radical processes” group (P3R) is composed of organic and polymer chemists who develop original polymer materials using radical chemistry.
P3R has a longstanding experience in reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. This includes the study of the structure-reactivity relationship of original classes of RAFT agents, RAFT control of “tricky” monomers, and the synthesis of functional block copolymers with targeted properties.
In recent years, we made a clear shift in the way we design our polymers towards materials of enhanced sustainability. For instance, new methodologies for making (chemically) degradable polymers by radical ring-opening copolymerization have been successfully developed.
Another recent strategic area is the design of dynamic polymer materials, in particular nanostructured vitrimers and carbon-fiber reinforced vitrimer materials for the aerospace sector.
We attach particular attention to the exploitation of our research results through a large number of patent applications with some examples of commercial success in collaboration with industrial partners.
Research topics
Team members
permanent members
temporary members on average per year
Team publications
This list of publications is uploaded directly from the P3R team’s HAL collection.
- Alexis Millan, Alexandre Wodrinski, Marc Guerre. Disulfide‐Initiated Addition–Fragmentation Chain Transfer in Allyl Sulfide‐Based Vitrimers. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2025, ⟨10.1002/anie.202519880⟩. ⟨hal-05338640⟩
- Malcolm Kelland, Mathias Destarac, Olivier Coutelier, Alexis Dupre-Demorsy, Tsuyoshi Ando, et al.. Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors─Which is Best, Block or Statistical Copolymers?. Energy & Fuels, 2024, ⟨10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c01375⟩. ⟨hal-04621385⟩
- Karine Labastie, Vincent Schenk, Raffaele D'Elia, Philippe Olivier, Mathias Destarac, et al.. Vitrimers : Potential and Processability. JST Fin de Vie des Composites AMAC, IMT Mines Albi, May 2024, IMT Mines Albi, France. ⟨hal-04808611⟩
- Maksym Odnoroh, Christophe Mingotaud, Olivier Coutelier, Jean-Daniel Marty, Mathias Destarac. Gem-bisphosphonic acid-based double hydrophilic block copolymers: RAFT synthesis and comparative assembly with gadolinium ions for the formation of MRI contrast agents. European Polymer Journal, 2024, 210, pp.112963. ⟨10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2024.112963⟩. ⟨hal-04580909⟩
- Solène Guggari, Fiona Magliozzi, Samuel Malburet, Alain Graillot, Mathias Destarac, et al.. Vanillin-based dual dynamic epoxy building block: a promising accelerator for disulfide vitrimers. Polymer Chemistry, 2024, 15 (13), pp.1347-1357. ⟨10.1039/d4py00038b⟩. ⟨hal-04533696⟩
- Oleksandr Ivanchenko, Mathias Destarac. 1,1′- Thiocarbonyldiimidazole Radical Copolymerization for the Preparation of Degradable Vinyl Polymers. ACS Macro Letters, 2023, 13 (1), pp.47-51. ⟨10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00676⟩. ⟨hal-04419665⟩
- Mohamed Azzouzi, Omar Azougagh, Abderrahim Ait Ouchaoui, Salah Eddine El Hadad, Stéphane Mazières, et al.. Synthesis, Characterizations, and Quantum Chemical Investigations on Imidazo[1,2- a ]pyrimidine-Schiff Base Derivative: ( E )-2-Phenyl- N -(thiophen-2-ylmethylene)imidazo[1,2- a ]pyrimidin-3-amine. ACS Omega, 2023, 9 (1), pp.837-857. ⟨10.1021/acsomega.3c06841⟩. ⟨hal-04401940⟩
- Maksym Odnoroh, Olivier Coutelier, Christophe Mingotaud, Mathias Destarac, Jean-Daniel Marty. Diblock versus block-random copolymer architecture effect on physical properties of Gd3+-based hybrid polyionic complexes. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2023, 649, pp.655-664. ⟨10.1016/j.jcis.2023.06.116⟩. ⟨hal-04189724⟩
- Maksym Odnoroh, Jean-Daniel Marty, Valérie Bourdon, Olivier Coutelier, Mathias Destarac. Primary sulfonamide-functional polymers with controlled chain architectures by RAFT polymerisation. Polymer Chemistry, 2023, 14 (33), pp.3821-3826. ⟨10.1039/d3py00629h⟩. ⟨hal-04189057⟩
- Mohamed Azzouzi, Zainab El Ouafi, Omar Azougagh, Walid Daoudi, Hassan Ghazal, et al.. Design, synthesis, and computational studies of novel imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives as potential dual inhibitors of hACE2 and spike protein for blocking SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. Journal of Molecular Structure, 2023, 1285, pp.135525. ⟨10.1016/j.molstruc.2023.135525⟩. ⟨hal-04827831⟩
Latest team news
A radical-based new approach to high-performance recyclable plastics
Researchers from the P3R team at Softmat have developed new vitrimers by developing heat-activated radical chemistry. This novel approach gives these materials, which are resistant, repairable and...
Ecolanka, a startup offering disruptive innovation in the field of degradable polymers, spun off from Softmat
Based on research conducted in the P3R team by Mathias Destarac and Sasha Ivanchenko (awarded the 2023 iPhD Grand Prix by the French Ministry of Research and operated by BPI France for this...
Olivier Coutelier, lecturer at softmat, defended his habilitation to supervise PhD students
Olivier conducts his research in the P3R team at the Softmat laboratory. On the 18th of April, he defended his habilitation to supervise PhD students, marking a milestone in his career. After his...





