Cu-catalyzed multicomponent polymerization to synthesize a library of poly(N-sulfonylamidines)

We report a versatile Cu-catalyzed multicomponent polymerization (MCP) technique that enables the synthesis of high-molecular-weight, defect-free poly(N-sulfonylamidines) from monomers of diynes, sulfonyl azides, and diamines. Through a series of optimizations, we discovered that the addition of excess triethylamine and the use of N,N'-dimethylformamide as a solvent are key factors to ensure efficient MCP. Formation of cyclic polyamidines was a side reaction during polymerization, but it was readily controlled by using diynes or diamines with long or rigid moieties. In addition, this polymerization is highly selective for three-component reactions over click reactions. The combination of the above factors enables the synthesis of high-molecular-weight polymers, which was challenging in previous MCPs. All three kinds of monomers (diynes, sulfonyl azides, and diamines) are readily accessible and stable under the reaction conditions, with various monomers undergoing successful polymerization regardless of their steric and electronic properties. Thus, we synthesized various high-molecular-weight, defect-free polyamidines from a broad range of monomers while overcoming the limitations of previous MCPs, such as low conversion and defects in the polymer structures.