RAFT Polymerization of Vinyl Sulfonate Esters for the Controlled Synthesis of Poly(lithium vinyl sulfonate) and Sulfonated Block Copolymers

Electrochemical Multicomponent Synthesis of Alkyl Alkenesulfonates using Styrenes, SO2 and Alcohols

A novel electrochemical approach to access alkyl alkenesulfonates via a multicomponent reaction was developed. The metal-free method features easy-to-use SO2 stock solution forming monoalkylsulfites from alcohols with an auxiliary base in-situ. These intermediates serve a dual role as starting materials and as supporting electrolyte enabling conductivity. Anodic oxidation of the substrate styrene, radical addition of these monoalkylsulfites and consecutive second oxidation and deprotonation preserve the double bond and form alkyl β-styrenesulfonates in a highly regio- and stereoselective fashion. The feasibility of this electrosynthetic method is demonstrated in 44 examples with yields up to 81 %, employing various styrenes and related substrates as well as a diverse set of alcohols. A gram-scale experiment underlines the applicability of this process, which uses inexpensive and readily available electrode materials.

Convenient Synthesis of Salicylanilide Sulfonates from 1,2,3-Benzotriazin-4(3H)-ones and Organosulfonic Acids via Denitrogenative Cross-Coupling

An efficient and straightforward approach to synthesize salicylanilide aryl and alkyl sulfonates from 1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-ones and organosulfonic acids is described. This protocol is operationally simple and scalable, exhibits a broad substrate scope with high functional group tolerance, and affords the desired products in good to high yield. Application of the reaction is also demonstrated by converting the desired product to synthetically useful salicylamides in high yields.

Polymers from S-vinyl monomers: reactivities and properties

This review summarises the work of several decades on the polymerisation of S-vinyl monomers, ranging from the early reports of suitable polymerisation techniques for these monomers to their recent renaissance in various applications.

Direct synthesis via RAFT of amphiphilic diblock polyelectrolytes facilitated by the use of a polymerizable ionic liquid as a monomer

A novel method to prepare amphiphilic block polyelectrolytes with a strongly hydrophobic block under homogeneous conditions is presented here.

Metal- and Reagent-Free Electrochemical Synthesis of Alkyl Arylsulfonates in a Multi-Component Reaction

This work presents the first electrochemical preparation of alkyl arylsulfonates by direct anodic oxidation of electron-rich arenes. The reaction mechanism features a multi-component reaction consisting of electron-rich arenes, an alcohol of choice and excess SO2 in an acetonitrile-HFIP reaction mixture. In-situ formed monoalkyl sulfites are considered as key intermediates with bifunctional purpose. Firstly, this species functions as nucleophile and secondly, excellent conductivity is provided. Several primary and secondary alcohols and electron-rich arenes are implemented in this reaction to form the alkyl arylsulfonates in yields up to 73 % with exquisite selectivity. Boron-doped diamond electrodes (BDD) are employed in divided cells, separated by a simple commercially available glass frit.

The effect of fluorination on chain transfer reactions in the radical polymerization of oligo ethylene glycol ethenesulfonate monomers

The polymerization details of new ethenesulfonate monomers with pendant fluorinated oligo ethylene glycol side-chains are reported.

Iodobenzene-catalyzed synthesis of aryl sulfonate esters from aminoquinolines via remote radical C–O cross-coupling

A simple and efficient approach is established for the iodobenzene-catalyzed synthesis of aryl sulfonate esters from aminoquinolines via remote radical C–O cross-coupling in the absence of any transition metal catalysts.

Synthesis of functionalized poly(vinyl acetate) mediated by alkyne-terminated RAFT agents

Two new xanthates with alkyne functionalities were synthesized for the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc).

Facile synthesis, sequence-tuned thermoresponsive behaviours and reaction-induced reorganization of water-soluble keto-polymers

Water-soluble keto-polymers: facile synthesis in methanol on irradiation with visible light at 25 °C, sequence-tuned thermoresponsive behaviours and reaction-induced reorganization.

Synthesis and polymerization of substituted ammonium sulfonate monomers for advanced materials applications

Sulfonated polymers have found use as ion-exchange membranes for use in fuel cells, water purification, electroactive devices, and inorganic materials templating and synthesis. Improving the materials for these applications and opening up new applications requires the ability to synthesis targeted or more complex sulfonated polymers, which includes tailoring the chemistry (copolymerization across a wider range of solubility) and/or polymer architecture (block, graft, nanoparticle). This article will summarize the recent work using sulfonated monomers with substituted ammonium counterions as a versatile route for enabling this goal. Two main benefits of these monomers are as follows. First, they are useful for preparing amphiphilic copolymers, which is a challenge using traditional acidic or alkali salt forms of sulfonated monomers. Second, sulfonated polymers with substituted ammonium counterions are useful polymers for obtaining unique material properties, such as organo-gelation of low polarity solvents or obtaining ionic liquid polymers for the fabrication of solid polymer electrolytes.

Novel Complex Polymers with Carbazole Functionality by Controlled Radical Polymerization

This review summarizes recent advances in the design and synthesis of novel complex polymers with carbazole moieties using controlled radical polymerization techniques. We focus on the polymeric architectures of block copolymers, star polymers, including star block copolymers and miktoarm star copolymers, comb-shaped copolymers, and hybrids. Controlled radical polymerization ofN-vinylcarbazole (NVC) and styrene and (meth)acrylate derivatives having carbazole moieties is well advanced, leading to the well-controlled synthesis of complex macromolecules. Characteristic optoelectronic properties, assembled structures, and three-dimensional architectures are briefly introduced.

Living Radical Polymerization by the RAFT Process – A Third Update

This paper provides a third update to the review of reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) achieved with thiocarbonylthio compounds (ZC(=S)SR) by a mechanism of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) that was published in June 2005 (Aust. J. Chem. 2005, 58, 379). The first update was published in November 2006 (Aust. J. Chem. 2006, 59, 669) and the second in December 2009 (Aust. J. Chem. 2009, 62, 1402). This review cites over 700 publications that appeared during the period mid 2009 to early 2012 covering various aspects of RAFT polymerization which include reagent synthesis and properties, kinetics and mechanism of polymerization, novel polymer syntheses, and a diverse range of applications. This period has witnessed further significant developments, particularly in the areas of novel RAFT agents, techniques for end-group transformation, the production of micro/nanoparticles and modified surfaces, and biopolymer conjugates both for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.