Synthesis of copolymers by alternating ROMP (AROMP)

Orthogonal Radical and Cationic Single-Unit Monomer Insertions for Engineering Polymer Architectures

The single-unit monomer insertion (SUMI), derived from living/controlled polymerization, can be directly functionalized at the end or within the chain of polymers prepared by living/controlled polymerization, offering potential applications in the preparation of polymers with complex architectures. Many scenarios demand the simultaneous incorporation of monomers suitable for different polymerization methods into complex polymers. Therefore, it becomes imperative to utilize SUMI technologies with diverse mechanisms, especially those that are compatible with each other. Here, we reported the orthogonal SUMI technique, seamlessly combining radical and cationic SUMI approaches. Through the careful optimization of monomer and chain transfer agent pairs and adjustments to reaction conditions, we can efficiently execute both radical and cationic SUMI processes in one pot without mutual interference. The utilization of orthogonal SUMI pairs facilitates the integration of radical and cationic reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in various configurations. This flexibility enables the synthesis of diblock, triblock, and star polymers that incorporate both cationically and radically polymerizable monomers. Moreover, we have successfully implemented a mixing mechanism of free radicals and cations in RAFT step-growth polymerization, resulting in the creation of a side-chain sequence-controlled polymer brushes.

Iron Olefin Metathesis: Unlocking Reactivity and Mechanistic Insights

Olefin metathesis catalyzed by iron complexes has garnered substantial interest due to iron's abundance and nontoxicity relative to ruthenium, yet its full potential remains untapped, largely because of the propensity of iron carbenes to undergo cyclopropanation instead of cycloreversion from a metallacycle intermediate. In this report, we elucidate the reactions of [{PC(sp2)P}Fe(L)(N2)], ([PC(sp2)P] = bis[2-(diisopropylphosphino)phenyl]methylene) with strained olefins, unveiling their capability to yield metathesis-related products. Our investigations led to the isolation of a structurally characterized metallacyclobutane during the reaction with norbornadiene derivatives, ultimately leading to a ring-opened iron alkylidene. These findings provide compelling evidence that iron complexes adhere to the Chauvin olefin metathesis mechanism.

Tricyclononenes and tricyclononadienes as efficient monomers for controlled ROMP: understanding structure-propagation rate relationships and enabling facile post-polymerization modification

Grubbs 3rd-generation (G3) pre-catalyst-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) remains an indispensable tool in the polymer chemist's toolbox. Tricyclononenes (TCN) and tricyclononadienes (TCND) represent under-explored classes of monomers for ROMP that have the potential to both advance fundamental knowledge (e.g., structure-polymerization kinetics relationships) and serve as practical tools for the polymer chemist (e.g., post-polymerization functionalization). In this work, a library of TCN and TCND imides, monoesters, and diesters, along with their exo-norbornene counterparts, were synthesized to compare their behaviors in G3-initiated ROMP. Real-time 1H NMR was used to study their polymerization kinetics; propagation rates (k p) were extracted for each monomer. To understand the relationships between monomer structure and ROMP propagation rates, density functional theory methods were used to calculate a variety of electronic and steric parameters for each monomer. While electronic parameters (e.g., HOMO energy levels) correlated positively with the measured k p values, steric parameters generally gave improved correlations, which indicates that monomer size and shape are better predictors for k p than electronic parameters for this data set. Furthermore, the TCND diester-which contains an electron-deficient cyclobutene that is resistant to ROMP-and its polymer p(TCND) are shown to be highly reactive toward DBU-catalyzed conjugate addition reactions with thiols, providing a protecting- and activating-group free strategy for post-polymerization modification.

Long-Range Kinetic Effects on the Alternating Ring Opening Metathesis of Bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-6-ene-7-carboxamides and Cyclohexene

We report an investigation of rates of ruthenium-catalyzed alternating ring opening metathesis (AROM) of cyclohexene with two different Ru-cyclohexylidene carbenes derived from bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-6-ene-7-carboxamides (A monomer) that bear different side chains. These monomers are propylbicyclo[4.2.0]oct-6-ene-7-carboxamide and N-(2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanylbicyclo[4.2.0]oct-6-ene-7-carboxamide. The amide substitution of these monomers directly affects both the rate of the bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-6-ene-7-carboxamide ring opening and the rate of reaction of the resulting carbene with cyclohexene (B monomer). The resulting Ru-cyclohexylidenes underwent reversible ring opening metathesis with cyclohexene. However, the thermodynamic equilibrium disfavored cyclohexene ring opening. Utilization of triphenylphosphine forms a more stable PPh3 ligated complex, which suppresses the reverse ring closing reaction and allowed direct measurements of the forward rate constants for formation of various A-B and A-B-A' complexes through carbene-catalyzed ring-opening metathesis and thus gradient polymer structure-determining steps. The relative rate of the propylbicyclo[4.2.0]oct-6-ene-7-carboxamide ring opening is 3-fold faster than that of the N-(2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanylbicyclo[4.2.0]oct-6-ene-7-carboxamide. In addition, the rate of cyclohexene ring-opening catalyzed by the propyl bicyclooctene is 1.4 times faster than when catalyzed by the ethoxyethoxy bicyclooctene. Also, the subsequent rates of bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-6-ene-7-carboxamide ring opening by propyl-based Ru-hexylidene are 1.6-fold faster than ethoxyethoxy-based Ru-hexylidene. Incorporation of the rate constants into reactivity ratios of bicyclo[4.2.0]amide-cyclohexene provides prediction of copolymerization kinetics and gradient copolymer structures.

The Fluorocarbene Exploit: Enforcing Alternation in Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Fluoroalkenes are known to be notoriously reluctant substrates for olefin metathesis due to the generation of thermodynamically stable Fischer-type fluorocarbene intermediates, which invariably fail to undergo further reaction. In the present disclosure, we find that fluorine substitution on the sp² carbon also strictly suppresses homopolymerization of norbornene derivatives (NBEs), and this can be harnessed to achieve alternating ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with an appropriately electron-rich comonomer. Dihydrofuran (DHF) is thereby shown to undergo alternating ROMP with fluorinated norbornenes, the perfectly alternating structure of the resulting copolymer having been unambiguously elucidated by ¹H, ¹⁹F, and ¹³C NMR analyses. Furthermore, we find that the degradability of the resultant copolymers in acidic media via hydrolysis of enol ether moieties in the backbone can be predictably modulated by the number of fluorine atoms present in the NBE comonomer, affording an opportunity to engage with the desirable physical properties of fluorinated polymers while limiting their attendant environmental degradability issues.

Controlled Alternating Metathesis Copolymerization of Terminal Alkynes

Terminal alkynes display high reactivity toward Ru-carbene metathesis catalysts. However, the formation of a less reactive bulky carbene hinders their homopolymerization. Simultaneously, the higher reactivity of alkynes does not allow efficient cross propagation with sterically less-hindered cycloalkene monomers, resulting in inefficient copolymerization. Nonetheless, terminal alkynes undergo rapid cross-metathesis with vinyl ethers. Therefore, an efficient cross propagation can be achieved with terminal alkynes and cyclic enol ether monomers. Here, we show that terminal alkyne derivatives can be copolymerized in an alternating fashion with 2,3-dihydrofuran using Grubbs' third generation catalyst (G3). A linear relationship of the number-average molecular weight versus monomer to initiator ratio and block copolymer synthesis confirmed a controlled copolymerization. The SEC and NMR analyses of the synthesized copolymers confirmed the excellent control over molecular weight and exclusive alternating nature of the copolymer. The regioselective chain transfer of G3 to vinyl ether and the high reactivity of the Fischer-type Ru carbene toward terminal alkynes was also exploited for polymer conjugation. Finally, the presence of an acid labile backbone functionality in the synthesized alternating copolymers allowed complete degradation of the copolymer within a short time interval which was confirmed by SEC analyses.

Cascade Alternating Metathesis Cyclopolymerization of Diynes and Dihydrofuran

Ruthenium alkoxymethylidene complexes have recently come into view as competent species for metathesis copolymerization reactions when coupled with appropriate comonomer targets. Here, we explore the ability of Fischer-type carbenes to participate in cascade alternating metathesis cyclopolymerization (CAMC) through facile terminal alkyne addition. The combination of diyne monomers and an equal feed ratio of low-strain dihydrofuran leads to a controlled chain-growth copolymerization with high degrees of alternation (>97% alternating diads) and produces degradable polymer materials with low dispersities and targetable molecular weights. When combined with enyne monomers, this method is amenable to the synthesis of alternating diblock copolymers that can be fully degraded to short oligomer fragments under aqueous acidic conditions. This work furthers the potential for the generation of functional metathesis materials via Fischer-type ruthenium alkylidenes.

Unsaturated Copolyesters from Macrolactone/Norbornene: Toward Reaction Kinetics of Metathesis Copolymerization Using Ruthenium Carbene Catalysts

Unsaturated copolyesters are of great interest in polymer science due to their broad potential applications and sustainability. Copolyesters were synthesized from the ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of ω-6-hexadecenlactone (HDL) and norbornene (NB) using ruthenium-alkylidene [Ru(Cl₂)(=CHPh)(1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2-imidazolidinylidene)(PCy₃)] (Ru1), [Ru(Cl)₂(=CHPh)(PCy₃)₂] (Ru2), and ruthenium-vinylidene [RuCl₂(=C=CH(p-C₆H₄CF₃))(PCy₃)₂] (Ru3) catalysts, respectively, yielding HDL-NB copolymers with different ratios of the monomer HDL in the feed. The activity of N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) (Ru1) and phosphine (Ru2 and Ru3) ligands containing ruthenium-carbene catalysts were evaluated in the synthesis of copolymer HDL-NB. The catalysts Ru1 with an NHC ligand showed superior activity and stability over catalysts Ru2 and Ru3 bearing PCy₃ ligands. The incorporation of the monomers in the copolymers determined by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy was similar to that of the HDL-NB values in the feed. Experiments, at distinct monomer molar ratios, were carried out using the catalysts Ru1–Ru3 to determine the copolymerization reactivity constants by applying the Mayo–Lewis and Fineman–Ross methods. The copolymer distribution under equilibrium conditions was studied by the ¹³C NMR spectra, indicating that the copolymer HDL-NB is a gradient copolymer. The main factor determining the decrease in melting temperature is the inclusion of norbornene units, indicating that the PNB units permeate trough the HDL chains. The copolymers with different molar ratios [HDL]/[NB] have good thermal stability up to 411 °C in comparison with the homopolymer PHDL (384 °C). Further, the stress–strain measurements in tension for these copolymers depicted the appreciable increment in stress values as the NB content increases.

Closing the "One Monomer-Two Polymers-One Monomer" Loop via Orthogonal (De)polymerization of a Lactone/Olefin Hybrid

Two well-known low-ceiling-temperature (LCT) monomers, γ-butyrolactone (γ-BL) toward ring-opening polymerization (ROP) to polyester and cyclohexene toward ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) to poly(cyclic olefin), are notoriously "nonpolymerizable". Here we present a strategy to render not only polymerizability of both the γ-BL and cyclohexene sites, orthogonally, but also complete and orthogonal depolymerization, through creating an LCT/LCT hybrid, bicyclic lactone/olefin (BiL⁼). This hybrid monomer undergoes orthogonal polymerization between ROP and ROMP, depending on the catalyst employed, affording two totally different classes of polymeric materials from this single monomer: polyester P(BiL⁼)_ROP via ROP and functionalized poly(cyclic olefin) P(BiL⁼)_ROMP via ROMP. Intriguingly, both P(BiL⁼)_ROP and P(BiL⁼)_ROMP are thermally robust but chemically recyclable under mild conditions (25-40 °C), in the presence of a catalyst, to recover cleanly the same monomer via chain unzipping and scission, respectively. In the ROP, topological and stereochemical controls have been achieved and the structures characterized. Furthermore, the intact functional group during the orthogonal polymerization (i.e., the double bond in ROP and the lactone in ROMP) is utilized for postfunctionalization for tuning materials' thermal and mechanical performances. The impressive depolymerization orthogonality further endows selective depolymerization of both the ROP/ROMP copolymer and the physical blend composites into the same starting monomer.

Oxanorbornenes: promising new single addition monomers for the metathesis polymerization

Higher ring-opening metathesis propagation rates of exo-norbornene derivatives over endo derivatives are well established in the literature. Here, we report for the first time that endo-isomers of oxanorbornene derivatives show higher reactivity towards ring-opening metathesis with Grubbs' 3rd generation catalyst (G3) than the corresponding exo-isomers. A very high selectivity for the reaction of G3 with endo over the exo-isomers could be shown. Furthermore, single molecular addition of the endo-isomers with G3 was observed. On the other hand, pure exo-monomers could successfully be homopolymerized. Mixtures of exo- and endo- monomers, however, prevented the homopolymerization of the exo-monomer. Such mixtures could successfully be copolymerized with cycloalkenes, resulting in alternating copolymers. An oxanorbornadiene derivative could be shown to undergo single addition reactions, exploited in the preparation of mono-end functional ROMP polymers. These could be selectively derivatized via endgroup selective thiol-ene click reactions. A thiol and alcohol end functional ROMP polymer was synthesized, and the efficient end functionalization was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-ToF spectrometry.

Cascade Ring-Opening/Ring-Closing Metathesis Polymerization of a Monomer Containing a Norbornene and a Cyclohexene Ring

Norbornene is polymerized extremely fast when reacted with Grubbs' first (G1) or third generation catalyst (G3) because of its very high ring strain energy. Cyclohexene, on the other hand, cannot be polymerized using G1 or G3 due to its very low ring strain energy. Subsequently, the sequence-selective polymerization of these two monomers is extremely challenging. A sequence-selective cascade ring-opening/ring-closing metathesis polymerization of the monomer M containing both the norbornene and the cyclohexene ring using G1 or G3 is reported. The polymer structure was analyzed by ¹H NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, and ¹H-¹H ROESY spectroscopy and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. Polymers with moderate molecular weight dispersities and good molecular weight control were achieved by varying the ratio between monomer M and G1.

Alternating Cascade Metathesis Polymerization of Enynes and Cyclic Enol Ethers with Active Ruthenium Fischer Carbenes

Ruthenium alkoxymethylidene complexes have rarely been demonstrated as active species in metathesis reactions and are frequently regarded as inert. Herein, we highlight the ability of these Fischer-type carbenes to participate in cascade alternating ring-opening metathesis polymerization through their efficient alkyne addition reactions. When enyne monomers are combined with low-strain cyclic vinyl ethers, a controlled chain-growth copolymerization occurs that exhibits high degrees of alternation (>90% alternating diads) and produces degradable poly(vinyl ether) materials with low dispersities and targetable molecular weights. This new method is amenable to the synthesis of alternating diblock polymers that can be degraded to small-molecule fragments under aqueous acidic conditions. This work furthers the potential of Fischer-type ruthenium alkylidenes in polymerization strategies and presents new avenues for the generation of functional metathesis materials.

Degradable Polyacetals/Ketals from Alternating Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

We report the synthesis of degradable polyacetals and polyketals with controlled molecular weights and low dispersities using alternating ring-opening metathesis polymerization (AROMP) of 1,1-disubstituted cyclopropenes and dioxepins. Under optimized conditions, high degrees of alternation and controlled polymerization were achieved between nonpropagating cyclopropenes and low-strain dioxepins. The high degrees of alternation allowed the resulting polymers to fully degrade into small molecules under acidic conditions at variable rates depending on the acetal/ketal structures. This synthetic strategy illustrates the use of AROMP to incorporate functionalities into both the polymer backbone as well as the side chains.

AB-alternating copolymers via chain-growth polymerization: synthesis, characterization, self-assembly, and functions

In this review, four topics on alternating copolymers synthesized via chain-growth polymerization are reviewed: (1) how to control the alternating sequence; (2) sequence analysis; (3) self-assembly; and (4) functions.

Tuning the Reactivity of Cyclopropenes from Living Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) to Single-Addition and Alternating ROMP

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) has become one of the most important living polymerizations. Cyclopropenes (CPEs) remain underexplored for ROMP. Described here is that the simple swap of 1-methyl to 1-phenyl on 1-(benzoyloxymethyl)CPEs elicited strikingly different modes of reactivity, switching from living polymerization to either selective single-addition or living alternating ROMP. The distinct reactivity stems from differences in steric repulsions at the Ru alkylidene after CPE ring opening. Possible olefin or oxygen chelation from ring-opened CPE substituents was also observed to significantly affect the rate of propagation. These results demonstrate the versatility of CPEs as a new class of monomers for ROMP, provide mechanistic insights for designing new monomers with rare single-addition reactivity, and generate a new functionalizable alternating copolymer scaffold with controlled molecular weight and low dispersity.

Telechelics Based on Catalytic Alternating Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

We describe a protocol to synthesize alternating telechelic ROMP copolymers of 7-oxa-norbornene derivatives and cycloalkenes under catalytic conditions. These copolymers were synthesized using Grubbs' second-generation catalyst. The sterically less hindered backbone double bonds of the resulting alternating copolymers facilitate the chain transfer (secondary metathesis) reactions. In the presence of symmetrical chain transfer agents (CTA), alternating copolymers could be synthesized catalytically. This procedure allows the synthesis of telechelic polymers based on potentially functional 7-oxa-norbornene derivatives under thermodynamic equilibrium conditions. The molar mass of the alternating copolymer was controlled by the monomer to CTA ratio. The end group of the copolymers synthesized in the catalytic manner was addressed by the CTA functionality, yielding telechelic copolymers in excellent yields. ¹H NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, and SEC analysis confirmed the chemical identity of the alternating telechelic copolymers with excellent control over the molar mass.

Selective ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclobutenes. Unsymmetrical ladderphane containing polycyclobutene and polynorbornene strands

At 0 °C in THF in the presence of Grubbs first generation catalyst, cyclobutene derivatives undergo ROMP readily, whereas norbornene derivatives remain intact. When the substrate contains both cyclobutene and norbornene moieties, the conditions using THF as the solvent at 0 °C offer a useful protocol for the selective ROMP of cyclobutene to give norbornene-appended polycyclobutene. Unsymmetrical ladderphane having polycyclobutene and polynorbornene as two strands is obtained by further ROMP of the norbornene appended polycyclobutene in the presence of Grubbs first generation catalyst in DCM at ambient temperature. Methanolysis of this unsymmetrical ladderphane gives polycyclobutene methyl ester and insoluble polynorbornene-amide-alcohol. The latter is converted into the corresponding soluble acetate. Both polymers are well characterized by spectroscopic means. No norbornene moiety is found to be incorporated into polycyclobutene strand at all. The double bonds in the polycyclobutene strand are mainly in cis configuration (ca 70%), whereas the E/Z ratio for polynorbornene strand is 8:1.

Incorporation of Large Cycloalkene Rings into Alternating Copolymers Allows Control of Glass Transition and Hydrophobicity

We previously reported that cyclohexene and bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-1(8)-ene-8-carboxamides undergo efficient ruthenium-catalyzed alternating ring-opening metathesis polymerization (AROMP). Here, we demonstrate that cyclodecene and cyclododecene also function as cycloalkene monomers in the bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-1(8)-ene-8-carboxamide AROMP system, thus enabling the synthesis of linear alternating copolymers with spacers of different lengths, as demonstrated by means of NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The glass transition temperature and hydrophilicity of the alternating copolymers decrease as the length of the spacers increases, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry and water contact angle measurements.

Functional Precision Polymers via Stereo- and Regioselective Polymerization Using Group 6 Metal Alkylidene and Group 6 and 8 Metal Alkylidene N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

The concepts of functional precision polymers and the latest accomplishments in their synthesis are summarized. Synthetic concepts based on chain growth polymerization are compared to iterative synthetic approaches. Here, the term "functional precision polymers" refers to polymers that are not solely hydrocarbon-based but contain functional groups and are characterized by a highly ordered primary structure. If insertion polymerization is used for their synthesis, olefin metathesis-based polymerization techniques, that is, ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization, and the regio- and stereoselective cyclopolymerization of α,ω-diynes are almost exclusively applied. Particularly with regio- and stereospecific ROMP and with cyclopolymerization, the synthesis of tactic polymers and copolymers with high regio-, stereo-, and sequence control can be accomplished; however, it requires carefully tailored transition metal catalysts. The fundamental synthetic concepts and strategies are outlined.

Alternating Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (AROMP) of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Monomers Provides Oligomers with Side-Chain Sequence Control

We report the formation of oligomers with side-chain sequence control using ruthenium-catalyzed alternating ring-opening metathesis polymerization (AROMP). These oligomers are prepared through sequential, stoichiometric addition of bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-1(8)-ene-8-carboxamide (monomer A) at 85 °C and cyclohexene (monomer B) at 45 °C to generate sequences up to 24 monomeric units composed of (A-alt- B) n and (A'-alt-B) n microblocks, where n ranges from 1 to 6. Herein, monomer A has an alkyl side chain, and monomer A' has a glycine methyl ester side chain. Increasing microblock size from one to six results in an increasing water contact angle on spin-coated thin films, despite the constant ratio of hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties. However, a disproportionately high contact angle was observed when n equals 2. Thus, the unique all-carbon backbone formed in the AROMP of bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-1(8)-ene-8-carboxamides and cyclohexene provides a platform for the nontemplated preparation of materials with specific sequences of side chains.

A new echelon of precision polypentenamers: highly isotactic branching on every five carbons

A systematic study shows that bulky allylic substituents on cyclopentene monomers affords a highly precise microstructure after ring-opening metathesis polymerization.

Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Butyl Substituted trans-Cyclooctenes

The synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization of highly-strained 3- and 1-butyl-trans-cyclooctenes was investigated with the goal of quickly preparing regioregular polymers with narrow molar mass distributions, which could serve as precursors for high precision short-chain branched polyethylene. 3-butyl-trans-cyclooctene was unable to be polymerized in a regioregular manner, however 1-butyl-trans-cyclooctene did yield regioregular product, although the dispersities were higher than expected. Investigation by NMR provided evidence that the nature of the propagating alkylidene is likely non-uniform throughout the course of the reaction, leading to the broadened molar mass distribution.

Synthesis of functional polyolefins via ring-opening metathesis polymerization of ester-functionalized cyclopentene and its copolymerization with cyclic comonomers

Viaring-opening metathesis polymerization, functionalized polyolefins were synthesized by homopolymerization of alkoxycarbonyl cyclopentene and its copolymerizations with other cyclic olefins.

Synthesis of Cis,syndiotactic A-alt-B Copolymers from Two Enantiomerically Pure Trans-2,3-Disubstituted-5,6-Norbornenes

Cis,syndiotacticA-alt-B copolymers, where A and B are two enantiomerically pure trans-2,3-disubstituted-5,6-norbornenes with "opposite" chiralities, can be prepared with stereogenic-at-metal initiators of the type M(NR)(CHR')(OR")(pyrrolide). Formation of a high percentage of alternating AB copolymer linkages relies on an inversion of chirality at the metal with each propagating step and a relatively fast formation of an AB sequence as a consequence of a preferred diastereomeric relationship between the chirality at the metal and the chirality of the monomer. This approach to formation of an alternating AB copolymer contrasts dramatically with the principle of forming AB copolymers from achiral monomers and catalysts.

Designing Sequence Selectivity into a Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization Catalyst

The development of a chemoselective catalyst for the sequence-selective copolymerization of two cycloolefins by ring-opening metathesis polymerization is described, starting with the mechanistic work that established the structure of the key metallacyclobutane intermediate. Experimental and computational investigations converged to a conclusion that the lowest energy metallacyclobutane intermediate in the ruthenium carbene-catalyzed metathesis reaction had the four-membered ring trans to the phosphine or NHC ligand. The trans-metallacyclobutane structure, for the case of a degenerate metathesis reaction catalyzed by a Grubbs first-generation complex, necessitated a rotation of the 3-fold symmetric tricyclohexylphosphine ligand, with respect to the 2-fold symmetric metallacyclobutane substructure. The degeneracy could be lifted by constraining the rotation. Lifting the degeneracy created the possibility of chemoselectivity. This mechanistic work led to a concept for the "tick-tock" catalyst for a chemoselective, alternating copolymerization of cyclooctene and norbornene from a mixture of the two monomers. The design concept could be post facto elaborated in terms of stereochemistry and topological theory, both viewpoints providing deeper insight into the design of selectivity into the catalytic reaction. The iterative interaction of theory and experiment provided the basis for the rational design and optimization of a new selectivity into an existing catalytic system with decidedly modest structural modifications of the original carbene complex.

Synthesis of Copolymers by Living Carbanionic Alternating Copolymerization

The synthesis and characterization of copolymers from styrene and 1,3-pentadiene (two isomers) are reported. Styrene/1,3-pentadiene (1:1) copolymerization with carbanion initiator yield living, well-defined, alternating (r1 = 0.037, r2 = 0.056), and highly stereoregular copolymers with 90%-100% trans-1,4 units, designed Mn s and low ÐM s (1.07-1.17). The first-order kinetic resolution and NMR spectra demonstrate that the copolymers obtained possess strictly alternating structure containing both 1,4- and 4,1-enchaiments. Also a series of copolymers with varying degrees of alternation are synthesized from para-alkyl substituted styrene derivatives and 1,3-pentadiene. The degree of alternation is strongly dependent on the polarity of solvent, reaction temperature, type of trans-cis isomer of 1,3-pentadiene and para-substituted group in styrene. The macro zwitterion forms (SPC) through the distribution of electronic charges from the donor (1,3-pentadiene) to the acceptor (styrenes) are proposed to interpret the carbanion alternating copolymerization mechanism. Owing to the versatility of the carbanion-initiating reaction, the present alternating strategy based on 1,3-pentadiene (especially cis isomer) can serve as a powerful tool for precise control of polymer chain microstructure, architecture, and functionalities in one-pot polymerization.

Precision Synthesis of Alternating Copolymers via Ring-Opening Polymerization of 1-Substituted Cyclobutenes

Investigation of complex molecular systems depends on our ability to correlate physical measurements with molecular structure. Interpretation of studies that rely on synthetic polymers is generally limited by their heterogeneity; i.e., there is variation in the number and arrangement of the monomeric building blocks that have been incorporated. Superior physics and biology can be performed with materials and tools that exert precise control over the sequence and spacing of functional groups. An interest in functional ligands combined with a desire to control the orientation and stereochemistry of monomer incorporation led to the design of new substrates for ruthenium-catalyzed ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). We discovered that ROMP of cyclobutene-1-carboxamides provides uniform and translationally invariant polymers. In contrast, cyclobutene-1-carboxylate esters ring open upon treatment with ruthenium catalyst, but they are stable to homopolymerization. However, in the presence of cyclohexene monomers, they undergo alternating ROMP (AROMP or alt-ROMP) to give copolymers with a precisely controlled sequence. The alternating cyclobutene ester/cyclohexene pair provides access to functional group spacing larger than is possible with homopolymers. This can be desirable; for example, polymers with a regular 8-10 Å backbone spacing of cationic charge and with between four and eight cationic groups were the most effective antibacterial agents and had low cytotoxicity. Moreover, the AROMP chemistry allows alternation of two functional moieties: one associated with the cyclohexene and one attached to the cyclobutene. In the case of antibacterial copolymers, the alternating chemistry allowed variation of hydrophobicity via the cyclohexene while maintaining a constant cation spacing through the cyclobutene. In the case of copolymers that bear donor and acceptor groups, strict alternation of the groups increased intrachain charge transfer. Like cyclobutene-1-carboxylate esters, bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-7-ene-7-carboxylate esters ring open upon treatment with ruthenium catalyst and undergo ring opening cross-metathesis with cyclohexene to form alternating copolymers. The corresponding bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-7-ene-7-carboxyamides isomerize to the bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-1(8)-ene-8-carboxamides before they can ring open. However, the isomerized amides undergo ruthenium-catalyzed ring opening metathesis and rapidly AROMP with cyclohexene. Our alternating copolymer systems allow functionality to be placed along a polymer chain with larger than typical spacing. We have used both homopolymers and alternating copolymers for defining the functional group density required for targeting a cell surface and for the exploration of functional group positioning within a polymer chain. These polymer systems provide access to new materials with previously inaccessible types of nanoscale structures.

Group interval-controlled polymers: an example of epoxy functional polymers via step-growth thiol–yne polymerization

Here, we successfully synthesized a series of epoxy GICPs via one-step UV-triggered thiol–yne polymerization of commercial glycidyl propargyl ether and dithiols at 0 °C..