Ring-Opening-Metathesis Polymerization for the Preparation of Carboxylic-Acid-Functionalized, High-Capacity Polymers for Use in Separation Techniques

Effect of liquid confinement on regioselectivity in the hydrosilylation of alkynes with cationic Rh(I) N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts

Polymeric mesoporous monoliths were prepared via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) from norbornene (NBE), 1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-1,4,5,8-exo,endo-dimethanonaphthalene (DMN-H6), tris(norborn-2-enylmethylenoxy)methylsilane and the 1st-generation Grubbs catalyst [RuCl2(PCy3)2(CHC6H5)] in the presence of 2-propanol and toluene and surface grafted with 1-(2-((norborn-5-ene-2-carbonyl)oxy)ethyl)-3-ethyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium tetrafluoroborate. Subsequently, a supported ionic-liquid-phase (SILP) system was created by immobilizing the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF4] with the cationic catalyst [Rh((1-pyrid-1-yl)-3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)(COD)+BF4-] (Rh-1; COD = 1,4-cyclooctadiene) dissolved therein. The regio- and stereoselectivity of Rh-1 dissolved in the IL and supported on the mesoporous monolith, referred to as Rh@SILPROMP, in the hydrosilylation of 1-alkynes with HSiMe2Ph was studied and compared to that of the homogeneous catalyst Rh-1 under biphasic conditions using methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as a second organic phase. Different amounts of IL were used, which allowed for the creation of SILPs with different layer thicknesses. Rh@SILPROMP provided by far better β-(Z) selectivity for both aromatic and aliphatic 1-alkynes in comparison to Rh-1 used under biphasic conditions. The highest β-(Z) selectivity was obtained with the thinnest IL layer. No leaching of the IL or rhodium from the SILP system into the organic phase was observed, resulting in virtually metal-free hydrosilylation products. The data obtained with Rh@SILPROMP were also compared with those from previous studies with Rh-1 in the same IL supported on polyurethane-derived mesoporous monolithic supports (Rh@SILPPUR) and on mesoporous SBA-15 (Rh@SILPSBA-15). For the first time, the use of a liquid confinement created by both a SILP and the support itself to tune the transition state of an organometallic catalyst by non-covalent interactions and thus stereo- and regioselectivity is outlined.

Recent Advances in Drug Release, Sensing, and Cellular Uptake of Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) Derived Poly(olefins)

The synthesis and applications of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) derived poly(olefins) have emerged as an exciting area of great interest in the field of biomaterials science. The major focus of this mini-review is to present recent advances in the synthesis of functional materials using ROMP-derived poly(olefins) utilized for drug release, sensing, and cellular uptake in the past seven years (2015-2022). This review reveals that materials synthesized by ROMP-derived well-defined functional poly(olefins) stand to be highly promising systems for medical as well as biological studies. Thus, this review may prove to be beneficial for the design and development of new smart and flexible-functionality ROMP-based polymeric materials for various biological applications.

Visible light induced RAFT for asymmetric functionalization of silica mesopores

One key feature for bioinspired transport design through nanoscale pores is nanolocal, asymmetric as well as multifunctional nanopore functionalization. Here, we use a visible-light induced, controlled photo electron/energy transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization for asymmetric polymer placement into mesoporous silica thin films including asymmetric polymer sequence design.

Copper Selective Polymeric Extractant Synthesized by Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Novel polymers bearing pendant picolinic acid functionalities have been synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) for applications in separations-based purification protocols. These polymers and their corresponding monomer were shown to be selective for Cu²⁺ over a variety of other divalent metal cations as inferred from pH dependent studies carried out under both liquid-liquid and solid-liquid extraction conditions. The polymer system of this study also showed high selectivity for Cu²⁺ over Ni²⁺ in mock protocols that could be relevant to the purification of Cu radioisotopes. Separation factors as high as 290 were achieved for extractions from solutions containing a 100-fold excess of Ni²⁺ relative to Cu²⁺.

Cross-linked ROMP polymers based on odourless dicyclopentadiene derivatives

Hydroxydicyclopentadiene (DCPD-OH) and some ester and ether derivatives were synthesized and used for the first time as ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) monomers to create cross-linked thermoset polymers with Ru-catalysts.

Silica-Supported Oligomeric Benzyl Phosphate (Si-OBP) and Triazole Phosphate (Si-OTP) Alkylating Reagents

The syntheses of silica-supported oligomeric benzyl phosphates (Si-OBP(n)) and triazole phosphates (Si-OTP(n)) using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) for use as efficient alkylating reagents is reported. Ease of synthesis and grafting onto the surface of norbornenyl-tagged (Nb-tagged) silica particles has been demonstrated for benzyl phosphate and triazole phosphate monomers. It is shown that these silica polymer hybrid reagents, Si-OBP(n) and Si-OTP(n), can be used to carry out alkylation reactions with an array of different nucleophiles to afford the corresponding benzylated and (triazolyl)methylated products in good yield and high purity.

New monolithic capillary columns with well-defined macropores based on poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene)

Macroporous polymer monoliths based on poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) with varied styrene/divinylbenzene ratios have been prepared by organotellurium-mediated living radical polymerization. The well-defined cocontinuous macroporous structure can be obtained by polymerization-induced spinodal decomposition, and the pore structures are controlled by adjusting the starting composition. The separation efficiency of small molecules (alkylbenzenes) in the obtained monoliths has been evaluated in the capillary format by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) under the isocratic reversed-phase mode. Baseline separations of these molecules with a low pressure drop (∼2 MPa) have been achieved because of the well-defined macropores and to the less-heterogeneous cross-linked networks.

High-load, hybrid Si-ROMP reagents

The combination of norbornenyl-tagged (Nb-tagged) silica particles and functionalized Nb-tagged monomers for the generation of hybrid Si-ROMP reagents and scavengers is reported. Specifically Si-ROMP-derived bis-acid chloride, dichlorotriazine, and triphenylphosphine scavenger/reagents have been grafted from the surface of silica particles utilizing surface-initiated, ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). These hybrid polymeric materials combine the physical properties of current immobilized silica reagents and represent a key advancement in load by merging the inherent tunable properties of the ROMP-derived oligomers with silica supports for application in a parallel synthesis.

Studies towards the synthesis of methionine aminopeptidase inhibitors: diversification utilizing a ROMP-derived coupling reagent

Efforts to synthesize potential methionine aminopeptidase inhibitors is described. Preliminary SAR and docking studies served as a guide to design the compound libraries. "Chromatography-free" synthesis of various heterocyclic amides was realized by using a high-load, soluble coupling reagent derived via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Subsequent microwave-assisted Suzuki reactions with ortho-substituted arylboronic acids, followed by chromatographic purification afforded a 55-member library in high yields and purities. While the biological testing was not satisfactory, concurrent X-ray crystallography studies revealed key structural features essential for inhibition of methionine aminopeptidase, which directed fruitful results reported in the accompanying manuscript. In addition, in silico Lipinksi profiles and ADME properties of the library are also reported.

Enantioseparation by ligand-exchange using particle-loaded monoliths: Capillary-LC versus capillary electrochromatography

Particle-loaded monoliths containing a polymethacrylamide backbone were prepared by suspending a silica-based chiral phase in the mixture of the monomers followed by in-situ polymerization in the capillary. As chiral selector l-4-hydroxyproline chemically bonded to 3 microm silica particles was used following the separation principle of ligand-exchange. Electrolytes containing Cu(II) ions were used. Amino acid enantiomers were separated by capillary-LC and CEC, whereby the latter showed the better resolution properties. For the chiral separation of alpha-hydroxy acids the EOF was reversed by copolymerizing diallyldimethylammonium chloride instead of vinylsulfonic acid as charge providing agent. Short columns of 6 cm were found to be sufficient in the case of CEC for baseline separations of amino acids with alpha values up to 5.

Metathesis polymerization-derived chromatographic supports

The synthesis and properties of metathesis polymerization-derived supports for solid-phase extraction (SPE), for the on-line extraction of metal ions, ion-chromatography, reversed-phase (RP-) chromatography, and chiral chromatography is described. In addition, the metathesis polymerization-based manufacture and derivatization of monolithic supports and their use in the separation of biomolecules such as oligonucleotides, thiooligonucleotides, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and proteins will be summarized. Special consideration will be given to important aspects of polymer chemistry and their relevance to the properties of these new supports.

Suspension Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization: The Preparation of Norbornene-Based Resins for Application in Organic Synthesis

A series of norbornene-based resin beads were obtained by aqueous suspension ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and used as polymeric supports for organic synthesis. These resins were prepared from norbornene, norborn-2-ene-5-methanol, and cross-linkers such as bis(norborn-2-ene-5-methoxy)alkanes, di(norborn-2-ene-5-methyl)ether, and 1,3-di(norborn-2-ene-5-methoxy)benzene. The resulting unsaturated ROMP (U-ROMP) resins containing olefin repeat units were chemically modified using hydrogenation, hydrofluorination, chlorination, and bromination reactions to produce saturated ROMP resins with different chemical and physical properties. The hydrogenated ROMP (H-ROMP) resin was found to be highly resistant to acidic, basic, Lewis acid, and Birch reduction conditions and was assessed as a polymeric support in a series of solid-phase synthetic applications. The H-ROMP resin was found to have superior performance compared to polystyrene-divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) copolymers in aromatic nitration and acylation reactions. In a conventional five-step solid-phase synthesis of a hydantoin, similar results were obtained for both the H-ROMP and PS-DVB resins. The U-ROMP resin was also shown to be effective in the solid-phase syntheses of benzimidazoles and benzimidazolones.

Heterogeneous C-C coupling and polymerization catalysts prepared by ROMP

This contribution summarizes the latest developments in the area of catalytic supports prepared via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). In particular, the synthesis of heterogeneous catalytic systems active in Pd-mediated C-C coupling reactions such as Heck, Sonogashira-Hagihara and Suzuki couplings, as well as in ruthenium-mediated olefin metathesis reactions will be summarized. The general concept for the synthesis of these supports will be outlined in detailed.

Metathesis-based monoliths: influence of polymerization conditions on the separation of biomolecules

Monolithic materials were prepared by transition metal-catalyzed ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of norborn-2-ene and 1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-1,4,5,8-exo,endo-dimethanonaphthalene within the confines of surface-derivatized borosilicate columns in the presence of the porogenic solvents toluene and 2-propanol using Cl2(PCy3)2Ru(=CHPh) (1) as initiator. Relevant physicochemical data of the porous structure (specific surface area (sigma), pore volume (Vp), volume fraction of pores (epsilon(p)), and intermicroglobule volume (epsilon(z))) of the monolithic columns were determined by inverse size exclusion chromatography in tetrahydrofuran. Mean particle diameters were determined via electron microscopy. The influence of variations in polymerization conditions in terms of stoichiometry of the monomers and porogenic solvents on the chromatographic separation of the oligodeoxynucleotides dT12-dT18 and eight model proteins (ribonuclease A, insulin, cytochrome c, lysocyme, alpha-lactalbumin, alpha-chymotrypsinogen, beta-lactoglobulin B, catalase) were studied. Also, the role of additional phosphine on the entire polymerization setup and the associated chromatographic separations was elucidated. Relevant chromatographic data as well as differences between the separation of oligodeoxynucleotides and proteins may directly be attributed to the above-mentioned physicochemical properties of the metathesis-based monoliths. Finally, DSC-TGA-MS investigations on various monoliths of different composition and age were carried out in order to provide information on stability and oxidation behavior.

New synthetic ways for the preparation of high-performance liquid chromatography supports

The latest developments and in particular important synthetic aspects for the preparation of modern HPLC supports are reviewed. In this context, the chemistry of inorganic supports based on silica, zirconia, titania or aluminum oxide as well as of organic supports based on poly(styrene-divinylbenzene), acrylates, methacrylates and other, more specialized polymers is covered. Special consideration is given to modern approaches such as sol-gel technology, molecular imprinting, perfusion chromatography, the preparation of monolithic separation media as well as to organic HPLC supports prepared by new polymer technologies such as ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Synthetic particularities relevant for the corresponding applications are outlined.