Zinc-Mediated Living Cationic Polymerization

Here, we present a facile and robust method for living cationic polymerization using zinc wire as a catalyst precursor. Well-defined poly(vinyl ether)s with various molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (Đ < 1.10) can be achieved at room temperature. Excellent living characteristics were observed in kinetic and chain extension experiments. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the polymerization was catalyzed by the in situ generation of trace zinc ions, which is the key to polymerization under mild conditions. The utilization of zinc wire offers several advantages, including reusability, easy separation and low metal residue. Furthermore, we extended the application of this method in continuous flow polymerization, opening up a promising avenue for scalable and efficient industrial production under mild conditions.

Moisture tolerant cationic RAFT polymerization of vinyl ethers

Cationic reversible addition—fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations have permitted the controlled polymerization of vinyl ethers and select styrenics with predictable molar masses and easily modified thiocarbonylthio chain ends. However, most...

Fabrication of multi-responsive photonic crystals based on selenium-containing copolymers

Responsive photonic crystals (PCs) have attracted great interest due to their adjustable structure color.

Controlled Cationic Polymerization Using RAFT Agents with Selenonium Cations as Metal-Free Lewis Acids: From Homogeneous to Heterogeneous Catalysis

Living cationic polymerization is a well-known technique, but it is generally limited by strict operating conditions. Here, a series of selenonium cations was used as a new class of catalysts...

Manganese-Catalyzed Batch and Continuous Flow Cationic RAFT Polymerization Induced by Visible Light

We present a robust manganese-catalyzed cationic reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization induced by visible light. Well-defined poly(vinyl ether)s with controlled molecular weight and molecular weight distributions (MWDs) can be conveniently prepared at room temperature without monomer purification. The commercially available manganese carbonyl bromide is used as the photocatalyst for cationic RAFT polymerization. Moreover, this method has been further applied in both batch and continuous flow systems, providing a visible light induced flow cationic polymerization under mild conditions.

Recent Advances in Living Cationic Polymerization with Emerging Initiation/Controlling Systems

While the conventional living cationic polymerization (LCP) provided opportunities to synthesizing well-defined polymers with predetermined molecular weights, desirable chemical structures and narrow dispersity, it is still important to continuously innovate new synthetic methods to meet the increasing requirements in advanced material engineering. Consequently, a variety of novel initiation/controlling systems have be demonstrated recently, which have enabled LCP with spatiotemporal control, broadened scopes of monomers and terminals, more user-friendly operations and reaction conditions, as well as improved thermomechanical properties for obtained polymers. In this work, recent advances in LCP is summarized with emerging initiation/controlling systems, including chemical-initiated/controlled cationic reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, photoinitiated/controlled LCP, electrochemical-controlled LCP, thionyl/selenium halide-initiated LCP, organic acid-assisted LCP, and stereoselective LCP. It is hoped that this summary will provide useful knowledge to people in related fields and stimulate new ideas to promote the development and application of LCP in both academia and industry.