1
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Zhou L, Reilly LT, Shi C, Quinn EC, Chen EYX. Proton-triggered topological transformation in superbase-mediated selective polymerization enables access to ultrahigh-molar-mass cyclic polymers. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1357-1365. [PMID: 38649467 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01511-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The selective synthesis of ultrahigh-molar-mass (UHMM, >2 million Da) cyclic polymers is challenging as an exceptional degree of spatiotemporal control is required to overcome the possible undesired reactions that can compete with the desired intramolecular cyclization. Here we present a counterintuitive synthetic methodology for cyclic polymers, represented here by polythioesters, which proceeds via superbase-mediated ring-opening polymerization of gem-dimethylated thiopropiolactone, followed by macromolecular cyclization triggered by protic quenching. This proton-triggered linear-to-cyclic topological transformation enables selective, linear polymer-like access to desired cyclic polythioesters, including those with UHMM surpassing 2 MDa. In addition, this method eliminates the need for stringent conditions such as high dilution to prevent or suppress linear polymer contaminants and presents the opposite scenario in which protic-free conditions are required to prevent cyclic polymer formation, which is capitalized to produce cyclic polymers on demand. Furthermore, such UHMM cyclic polythioester exhibits not only much enhanced thermostability and mechanical toughness, but it can also be quantitatively recycled back to monomer under mild conditions due to its gem-disubstitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Liam T Reilly
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Changxia Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Ethan C Quinn
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Eugene Y-X Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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2
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Clarke RW, Caputo MR, Polo Fonseca L, McGraw ML, Reilly LT, Franklin KA, Müller AJ, Chen EYX. Cyclic and Linear Tetrablock Copolymers Synthesized at Speed and Scale by Lewis Pair Polymerization of a One-Pot (Meth)acrylic Mixture and Characterized at Multiple Levels. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4930-4941. [PMID: 38346332 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Cyclic block copolymers (cBCP) are fundamentally intriguing materials, but their synthetic challenges that demand precision in controlling both the monomer sequence and polymer topology limit access to AB and ABC block architectures. Here, we show that cyclic ABAB tetra-BCPs (cABAB) and their linear counterpart (lABAB) can be readily obtained at a speed and scale from one-pot (meth)acrylic monomer mixtures, through coupling the Lewis pair polymerization's unique compounded-sequence control with its precision in topology control. This approach achieves fast (<15 min) and quantitative (>99%) conversion to tetra-BCPs of predesignated linear or cyclic topology at scale (40 g) in a one-pot procedure, precluding the needs for repeated chain extensions, stoichiometric addition steps, dilute conditions, and postsynthetic modifications, and/or postsynthetic ring-closure steps. The resulting lABAB and cABAB have essentially identical molecular weights (Mn = 165-168 kg mol-1) and block degrees/symmetry, allowing for direct behavioral comparisons in solution (hydrodynamic volume, intrinsic viscosity, elution time, and refractive indices), bulk (thermal transitions), and film (thermomechanical and rheometric properties and X-ray scattering patterns) states. To further the morphological characterizations, allylic side-chain functionality is exploited via the thiol-ene click chemistry to install crystalline octadecane side chains and promote phase separation between the A and B blocks, allowing visualization of microdomain formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan W Clarke
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1872, United States
| | - Maria Rosaria Caputo
- Polymat and Department of Polymers and Advanced Materials: Physics, Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, Donostia-San Sebastián 20018, Spain
| | - Lucas Polo Fonseca
- Polymat and Department of Polymers and Advanced Materials: Physics, Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, Donostia-San Sebastián 20018, Spain
| | - Michael L McGraw
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1872, United States
| | - Liam T Reilly
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1872, United States
| | - Kevin A Franklin
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1872, United States
| | - Alejandro J Müller
- Polymat and Department of Polymers and Advanced Materials: Physics, Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, Donostia-San Sebastián 20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao 48009, Spain
| | - Eugene Y-X Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1872, United States
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3
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McGraw ML, Reilly LT, Clarke RW, Cavallo L, Falivene L, Chen EY. Mechanism of Spatial and Temporal Control in Precision Cyclic Vinyl Polymer Synthesis by Lewis Pair Polymerization. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202116303. [PMID: 35132730 PMCID: PMC9304268 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202116303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In typical cyclic polymer synthesis via ring-closure, chain growth and cyclization events are competing with each other, thus affording cyclic polymers with uncontrolled molecular weight or ring size and high dispersity. Here we uncover a mechanism by which Lewis pair polymerization (LPP) operates on polar vinyl monomers that allows the control of where and when cyclization takes place, thereby achieving spatial and temporal control to afford precision cyclic vinyl polymers or block copolymers with predictable molecular weight and low dispersity (≈1.03). A combined experimental and theoretical study demonstrates that cyclization occurs only after all monomers have been consumed (when) via conjugate addition of the propagating chain end to the specific site of the initiating chain end (where), allowing the cyclic polymer formation steps to be regulated and executed with precision in space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. McGraw
- Department of ChemistryColorado State UniversityFort CollinsCO 80523–1872USA
| | - Liam T. Reilly
- Department of ChemistryColorado State UniversityFort CollinsCO 80523–1872USA
| | - Ryan W. Clarke
- Department of ChemistryColorado State UniversityFort CollinsCO 80523–1872USA
| | - Luigi Cavallo
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Physical Sciences and Engineering DivisionKAUST Catalysis CenterThuwal23955-6900Saudi Arabia
| | - Laura Falivene
- Università di SalernoDipartimento di Chimica e BiologiaVia Papa Paolo Giovanni II84100Fisciano (SA)Italy
| | - Eugene Y.‐X. Chen
- Department of ChemistryColorado State UniversityFort CollinsCO 80523–1872USA
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4
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Zhao W, Wang Q, He J, Zhang Y. Boron-Based Lewis Pairs Catalyzed Living, Regioselective and Topology-Controlled Polymerization of (E, E)-alkyl Sorbates. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200088. [PMID: 35363417 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
It remains as a great challenge to realize living and controlled polymerization of renewable monomers by the boron-based Lewis pairs. Here we employ strong nucleophilic N-heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) or N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) as Lewis bases (LBs), and boron-based compounds as Lewis acids (LAs) to construct LPs for polymerization of alkyl sorbates, including (E, E)-methyl sorbate (MS) and (E, E)-ethyl sorbate (ES). Systematic investigation reveal that the combinations of B(C6 F5 )3 with appropriate acidity and steric hindrance, and strong nucleophilic NHOs promote living and controlled polymerization of alkyl sorbates in 100% 1,4-addition manner, furnishing polymers with predicted molecular weight (Mw up to 56.6 kg/mol) and narrow molecular weight distribution (Đ as low as 1.12). Furthermore, topology analysis shows that NHC1/B(C6 F5 )3 LP produced PMS possessing cyclic structure. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuchao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, China
| | - Qianyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, China
| | - Jianghua He
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, China
| | - Yuetao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, China
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5
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Cao Z, Wu D, Li M, Yang F, Li Z, An W, Jiang S, Zheng X, Niu C, Qu D. An acid-base responsive linear-cyclic polymer rotaxane molecular shuttle with fluorescence signal output. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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6
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McGraw ML, Reilly LT, Clarke RW, Cavallo L, Falivene L, Chen EY. Mechanism of Spatial and Temporal Control in Precision Cyclic Vinyl Polymer Synthesis by Lewis Pair Polymerization. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202116303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. McGraw
- Department of Chemistry Colorado State University Fort Collins CO 80523–1872 USA
| | - Liam T. Reilly
- Department of Chemistry Colorado State University Fort Collins CO 80523–1872 USA
| | - Ryan W. Clarke
- Department of Chemistry Colorado State University Fort Collins CO 80523–1872 USA
| | - Luigi Cavallo
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Physical Sciences and Engineering Division KAUST Catalysis Center Thuwal 23955-6900 Saudi Arabia
| | - Laura Falivene
- Università di Salerno Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia Via Papa Paolo Giovanni II 84100 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Eugene Y.‐X. Chen
- Department of Chemistry Colorado State University Fort Collins CO 80523–1872 USA
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7
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Zhao W, Li F, Li C, He J, Zhang Y, Chen C. Lewis Pair Catalyzed Regioselective Polymerization of (E,E)-Alkyl Sorbates for the Synthesis of (AB) n Sequenced Polymers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:24306-24311. [PMID: 34510679 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202111336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
In this contribution, Lewis pairs (LPs) composed of N-heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) with different steric hindrance and nucleophilicity as Lewis bases (LBs) and Al-based compounds with comparable acidity but different steric hindrance as Lewis acids (LAs) were applied for 1,4-selective polymerization of (E,E)-methyl sorbate (MS) and (E,E)-ethyl sorbate (ES). The effects of steric hindrance, electron-donating ability, and acidity of LPs on MS and ES polymerization were systematically investigated. High catalytic activity and high initiation efficiency can be achieved, leading to the formation of PMS with 100 % 1,4-selectivity, tunable molecular weight (Mw up to 333 kg mol-1 ), and narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD). Block copolymerization of ES and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was also realized. Meanwhile, this system can be applied to other homologous conjugated diene substrates. Furthermore, simple chemical reactions can efficiently convert PMS to different polymers with strict (AB)n sequence structures, such as poly(sorbic acid), poly(propylene-alt-methyl acrylate), poly(propylene-alt-acrylic acid), poly(propylene-alt-allyl alcohol), and poly(ethylene-alt-2-butylene).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuchao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Fukuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Chengkai Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Jianghua He
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Yuetao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Changle Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. China
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8
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9
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Zhao W, Li F, Li C, He J, Zhang Y, Chen C. Lewis Pair Catalyzed Regioselective Polymerization of (
E
,
E
)‐Alkyl Sorbates for the Synthesis of (AB)
n
Sequenced Polymers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202111336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wuchao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials College of Chemistry Jilin University, Changchun Jilin 130012 P. R. China
| | - Fukuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials College of Chemistry Jilin University, Changchun Jilin 130012 P. R. China
| | - Chengkai Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale Department of Polymer Science and Engineering University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 P. R. China
| | - Jianghua He
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials College of Chemistry Jilin University, Changchun Jilin 130012 P. R. China
| | - Yuetao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials College of Chemistry Jilin University, Changchun Jilin 130012 P. R. China
| | - Changle Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale Department of Polymer Science and Engineering University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 P. R. China
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10
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McGraw ML, Clarke RW, Chen EYX. Synchronous Control of Chain Length/Sequence/Topology for Precision Synthesis of Cyclic Block Copolymers from Monomer Mixtures. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:3318-3322. [PMID: 33641330 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Precision synthesis of cyclic polymers with predictable molecular weight and low dispersity is a challenging task, particularly concerning cyclic polar vinyl polymers through a rapid chain-growth mechanism and without high dilution. Harder yet is the precision synthesis of cyclic block copolymers (cBCPs), ideally from comonomer mixtures. Here we report that Lewis pair polymerization (LPP) capable of thermodynamically and kinetically compounded sequence control successfully addressed this longstanding challenge. Thus, LPP of acrylate/methacrylate mixtures under ambient temperature and normal concentration conditions rapidly and selectively affords well-defined cBCPs with high molecular weight (Mn = 247 kg/mol) and low dispersity (Đ = 1.04) in one step. Such cBCPs have been characterized by multiple techniques, including direct structural observation by imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L McGraw
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1872, United States
| | - Ryan W Clarke
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1872, United States
| | - Eugene Y-X Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1872, United States
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11
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Daito Y, Kojima R, Kusuyama N, Kohsaka Y, Ouchi M. Magnesium bromide (MgBr 2) as a catalyst for living cationic polymerization and ring-expansion cationic polymerization. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0py01584a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Magnesium bromide (MgBr2) was found to be an effective catalyst for the ring-expansion cationic polymerizations of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) initiated by a “cyclic” hemiacetal ester (HAE) bond-based initiator leading to the syntheses of cyclic poly(IBVE)s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Daito
- Department of Polymer Chemistry
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Kyoto University
- Kyoto 615-8510
- Japan
| | - Reina Kojima
- Department of Polymer Chemistry
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Kyoto University
- Kyoto 615-8510
- Japan
| | - Naoyuki Kusuyama
- Department of Polymer Chemistry
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Kyoto University
- Kyoto 615-8510
- Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kohsaka
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials (RISM)
- Shinshu University
- Japan
- Faculty of Textile Science and Technology
- Shinshu University
| | - Makoto Ouchi
- Department of Polymer Chemistry
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Kyoto University
- Kyoto 615-8510
- Japan
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12
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Muramatsu Y, Takasu A, Higuchi M, Hayashi M. Direct observation of the formation of a cyclic poly(alkyl sorbate) via
chain‐growth
polymerization by an
N
‐heterocyclic
carbene initiator and
ring‐closing
without extreme dilution. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20200587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Muramatsu
- Division of Soft Materials, Department of Engineering Nagoya Institute of Technology Nagoya Japan
| | - Akinori Takasu
- Division of Soft Materials, Department of Engineering Nagoya Institute of Technology Nagoya Japan
| | - Masahiro Higuchi
- Division of Soft Materials, Department of Engineering Nagoya Institute of Technology Nagoya Japan
| | - Mikihiro Hayashi
- Division of Soft Materials, Department of Engineering Nagoya Institute of Technology Nagoya Japan
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13
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Direct observation of cyclic poly(N-substituted maleimide)s with broad size distributions synthesized by anionic polymerization using an N-heterocyclic carbene and successive ring closure without high dilutions. Polym J 2020. [DOI: 10.1038/s41428-020-0384-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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14
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Kricheldorf HR, Weidner SM. The Ring-Opening Polymerization-Polycondensation (ROPPOC) Approach to Cyclic Polymers. Macromol Rapid Commun 2020; 41:e2000152. [PMID: 32462747 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202000152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A new concept called ring-opening polymerization-polycondensation (ROPPOC) is presented and discussed. This synthetic strategy is based on the intermediate formation of chains having two end groups that can react with each other. The ROPPOC syntheses are subdivided into three groups according to the nature of the chain ends: two ionic end groups, one ionic and one covalent chain end, and a combination of two reactive covalent end groups may be involved, depending on the catalyst. The usefulness for the preparation of cyclic polymers is discussed with a review of numerous previously published examples. These examples concern the following classes of cyclic polymers: polypeptides, polyamides, and polyesters, including polycarbonates and cyclic polysiloxanes. It is demonstrated that the results of certain ROPPOC syntheses are in contradiction to the Jacobson-Stockmayer theory. Finally, the usefulness of ROPPOCs for the detection of polydisperse catenanes is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans R Kricheldorf
- Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstrasse 45, Hamburg, D-20146, Germany
| | - Steffen M Weidner
- 6.3 Strukturanalytik, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, Berlin, D-12489, Germany
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