Synthesis and Post-Polymerization Modification of Defined Functional Poly(vinyl ether)s

Synthesis of Clickable Isotactic Poly(vinyl ether)s through Organocatalytic Stereoselective Cationic Copolymerization

By virtue of the high reliability of click chemistry, polymers with clickable groups provide a useful platform for the rapid synthesis of polymer materials with diverse functionalities and architectures. However, the polymerization of clickable vinyl monomers with a concurrent regulation on tacticity remains underdeveloped. Herein, we report the successful development of a stereoselective cationic copolymerization of C-C triple bond-containing vinyl ethers with simple alkyl vinyl ethers by employing confined Brønsted acid as catalyst, which allows for the synthesis of alkyne-functionalized vinyl ether copolymers with high isotacticity (up to 90 % m), controlled molecular weight, and variable content of C-C triple bonds. Further transformation of the pendant clickable alkyne groups via thiol-yne click reactions and copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction enables a modular access to isotactic polymers with various functional groups.

Radical chemistry in polymer science: an overview and recent advances

Radical chemistry is one of the most important methods used in modern polymer science and industry. Over the past century, new knowledge on radical chemistry has both promoted and been generated from the emergence of polymer synthesis and modification techniques. In this review, we discuss radical chemistry in polymer science from four interconnected aspects. We begin with radical polymerization, the most employed technique for industrial production of polymeric materials, and other polymer synthesis involving a radical process. Post-polymerization modification, including polymer crosslinking and polymer surface modification, is the key process that introduces functionality and practicality to polymeric materials. Radical depolymerization, an efficient approach to destroy polymers, finds applications in two distinct fields, semiconductor industry and environmental protection. Polymer chemistry has largely diverged from organic chemistry with the fine division of modern science but polymer chemists constantly acquire new inspirations from organic chemists. Dialogues on radical chemistry between the two communities will deepen the understanding of the two fields and benefit the humanity.