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Murphy E, Zhang C, Bates CM, Hawker CJ. Chromatographic Separation: A Versatile Strategy to Prepare Discrete and Well-Defined Polymer Libraries. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:1202-1213. [PMID: 38530881 PMCID: PMC11025024 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
ConspectusThe preparation of discrete and well-defined polymers is an emerging strategy for emulating the remarkable precision achieved by macromolecular synthesis in nature. Although modern controlled polymerization techniques have unlocked access to a cornucopia of materials spanning a broad range of monomers, molecular weights, and architectures, the word "controlled" is not to be confused with "perfect". Indeed, even the highest-fidelity polymerization techniques─yielding molar mass dispersities in the vicinity of Đ = 1.05─unavoidably create a considerable degree of structural and/or compositional dispersity due to the statistical nature of chain growth. Such dispersity impacts many of the properties that researchers seek to control in the design of soft materials.The development of strategies to minimize or entirely eliminate dispersity and access molecularly precise polymers therefore remains a key contemporary challenge. While significant advances have been made in the realm of iterative synthetic methods that construct oligomers with an exact molecular weight, head-to-tail connectivity, and even stereochemistry via small-molecule organic chemistry, as the word "iterative" suggests, these techniques involve manually propagating monomers one reaction at a time, often with intervening protection and deprotection steps. As a result, these strategies are time-consuming, difficult to scale, and remain limited to lower molecular weights. The focus of this Account is on an alternative strategy that is more accessible to the general scientific community because of its simplicity, versatility, and affordability: chromatography. Researchers unfamiliar with the intricacies of synthesis may recall being exposed to chromatography in an undergraduate chemistry lab. This operationally simple, yet remarkably powerful, technique is most commonly encountered in the purification of small molecules through their selective (differential) adsorption to a column packed with a low-cost stationary phase, usually silica. Because the requisite equipment is readily available and the actual separation takes little time (on the order of 1 h), chromatography is used extensively in small-molecule chemistry throughout industry and academia alike. It is, therefore, perhaps surprising that similar types of chromatography are not more widely leveraged in the field of polymer science as well.Here, we discuss recent advances in using chromatography to control the structure and properties of polymeric materials. Emphasis is placed on the utility of an adsorption-based mechanism that separates polymers based on polarity and composition at tractable (gram) scales for materials science, in contrast to size exclusion, which is extremely common but typically analyzes very small quantities of a sample (∼1 mg) and is limited to separating by molar mass. Key concepts that are highlighted include (1) the separation of low-molecular-weight homopolymers into discrete oligomers (Đ = 1.0) with precise chain lengths and (2) the efficient fractionation of block copolymers into high-quality and widely varied libraries for accelerating materials discovery. In summary, the authors hope to convey the exciting possibilities in polymer science afforded by chromatography as a scalable, versatile, and even automated technique that unlocks new avenues of exploration into well-defined materials for a diverse assortment of researchers with different training and expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth
A. Murphy
- Materials
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemical
Engineering, andMaterials Department, University of California
Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Materials
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemical
Engineering, andMaterials Department, University of California
Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Australian
Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and Centre for Advanced
Imaging University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Christopher M. Bates
- Materials
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemical
Engineering, andMaterials Department, University of California
Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Craig J. Hawker
- Materials
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemical
Engineering, andMaterials Department, University of California
Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
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Catt SO, Hackner M, Spatz JP, Blasco E. Macromolecular Engineering: From Precise Macromolecular Inks to 3D Printed Microstructures. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2300844. [PMID: 37078908 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Macromolecules with complex, defined structures exist in nature but rarely is this degree of control afforded in synthetic macromolecules. Sequence-defined approaches provide a solution for precise control of the primary macromolecular structure. Despite a growing interest, very few examples for applications of sequence-defined macromolecules exist. In particular, the use of sequence-defined macromolecules as printable materials remains unexplored. Herein, the rational design of precise macromolecular inks for 3D microprinting is investigated for the first time. Specifically, three printable oligomers are synthesized, consisting of eight units, either crosslinkable (C) or non-functional (B) with varied sequence (BCBCBCBC, alternating; BBCCCBB, triblock; and BBBBCCCC, block). The oligomers are printed using two-photon laser printing and characterized. It is clearly demonstrated that the macromolecular sequence, specifically the positioning of the crosslinkable group, plays a critical role in both the printability and final properties of the printed material. Thus, through precise design and printability of sequence-defined macromolecules, an exciting avenue for the next generation of functional materials for 3D printing is created.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha O Catt
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM) and Organic Chemistry Institute (OCI), Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maximillian Hackner
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM) and Organic Chemistry Institute (OCI), Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Germany Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim P Spatz
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM) and Organic Chemistry Institute (OCI), Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Germany Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva Blasco
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM) and Organic Chemistry Institute (OCI), Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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Chakma P, Zeitler SM, Baum F, Yu J, Shindy W, Pozzo LD, Golder MR. Mechanoredox Catalysis Enables a Sustainable and Versatile Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization Process. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202215733. [PMID: 36395245 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202215733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The sustainable synthesis of macromolecules with control over sequence and molar mass remains a challenge in polymer chemistry. By coupling mechanochemistry and electron-transfer processes (i.e., mechanoredox catalysis), an energy-conscious controlled radical polymerization methodology is realized. This work explores an efficient mechanoredox reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization process using mechanical stimuli by implementing piezoelectric barium titanate and a diaryliodonium initiator with minimal solvent usage. This mechanoredox RAFT process demonstrates exquisite control over poly(meth)acrylate dispersity and chain length while also showcasing an alternative to the solution-state synthesis of semifluorinated polymers that typically utilize exotic solvents and/or reagents. This chemistry will find utility in the sustainable development of materials across the energy, biomedical, and engineering communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Progyateg Chakma
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Science Institute, University of Washington, 36 Bagley Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sarah M Zeitler
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Science Institute, University of Washington, 36 Bagley Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Fábio Baum
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Material Science & Engineering, University of Washington, 105 Benson Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jiatong Yu
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Science Institute, University of Washington, 36 Bagley Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Waseem Shindy
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Science Institute, University of Washington, 36 Bagley Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Lilo D Pozzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Material Science & Engineering, University of Washington, 105 Benson Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Matthew R Golder
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Science Institute, University of Washington, 36 Bagley Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Murphy EA, Chen YQ, Albanese K, Blankenship JR, Abdilla A, Bates MW, Zhang C, Bates CM, Hawker CJ. Efficient Creation and Morphological Analysis of ABC Triblock Terpolymer Libraries. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Murphy
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
| | - Yan-Qiao Chen
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
| | - Kaitlin Albanese
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
| | - Jacob R. Blankenship
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
| | - Allison Abdilla
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
| | - Morgan W. Bates
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland4072, Australia
| | - Christopher M. Bates
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, and University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
| | - Craig J. Hawker
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California93106, United States
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Ide Y, Manabe Y, Inaba Y, Kinoshita Y, Pirillo J, Hijikata Y, Yoneda T, Shivakumar KI, Tanaka S, Asakawa H, Inokuma Y. Determination of the critical chain length for macromolecular crystallization using structurally flexible polyketones. Chem Sci 2022; 13:9848-9854. [PMID: 36199636 PMCID: PMC9434099 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc03083g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Critical chain length that divides small molecular crystallization from macromolecular crystallization is an important index in macro-organic chemistry to predict chain-length dependent properties of oligomers and polymers. However, extensive researches...
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Ide
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University Kita 21, Nishi 10, Kita-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 001-0021 Japan
| | - Yumehiro Manabe
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 060-8628 Japan
| | - Yuya Inaba
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 060-8628 Japan
| | - Yusuke Kinoshita
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University Kita 21, Nishi 10, Kita-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 001-0021 Japan
| | - Jenny Pirillo
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University Kita 21, Nishi 10, Kita-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 001-0021 Japan
| | - Yuh Hijikata
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University Kita 21, Nishi 10, Kita-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 001-0021 Japan
| | - Tomoki Yoneda
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 060-8628 Japan
| | - Kilingaru I Shivakumar
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University Kita 21, Nishi 10, Kita-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 001-0021 Japan
| | - Saki Tanaka
- Nanomaterials Research Institute (NanoMaRi), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, and Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University Kanazawa 920-1192 Japan
| | - Hitoshi Asakawa
- Nanomaterials Research Institute (NanoMaRi), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, and Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University Kanazawa 920-1192 Japan
| | - Yasuhide Inokuma
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University Kita 21, Nishi 10, Kita-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 001-0021 Japan
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 060-8628 Japan
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Genabeek B, Lamers BAG, Hawker CJ, Meijer EW, Gutekunst WR, Schmidt BVKJ. Properties and applications of precision oligomer materials; where organic and polymer chemistry join forces. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20200862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bas Genabeek
- Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Brigitte A. G. Lamers
- Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Craig J. Hawker
- Materials Research Laboratory University of California Santa Barbara California USA
- Materials Department University of California Santa Barbara California USA
| | - E. W. Meijer
- Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Will R. Gutekunst
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta Georgia USA
| | - Bernhard V. K. J. Schmidt
- Department of Colloid Chemistry Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces Potsdam Germany
- School of Chemisty University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
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7
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Báez JE, Shea KJ, Dennison PR, Obregón-Herrera A, Bonilla-Cruz J. Monodisperse oligo(δ-valerolactones) and oligo(ε-caprolactones) with docosyl (C22) end-groups. Polym Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/d0py00576b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Two different families of monodisperse oligoesters with α-hydroxyl-ω-docosyl (C22) terminal groups [oligo(δ-valerolactone) and oligo(ϵ-caprolactone)] were isolated by flash column chromatography (FCC).
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Affiliation(s)
- José E. Báez
- Department of Chemistry
- Division of Natural and Exact Sciences
- University of Guanajuato (UG)
- Guanajuato
- Gto. Mexico
| | - Kenneth J. Shea
- Department of Chemistry
- University of California
- Irvine
- Irvine
- 92697-2025
| | | | - Armando Obregón-Herrera
- Department of Biology
- Division of Natural and Exact Sciences
- University of Guanajuato (UG)
- Guanajuato
- Gto. Mexico
| | - José Bonilla-Cruz
- Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados S.C. (CIMAV-Unidad Monterrey)
- Apodaca
- 66628 Mexico
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