Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Solid-phase Submonomer Synthesis of Peptoid Polymers and their Self-Assembly into Highly-Ordered Nanosheets
Published on: November 2, 2011
Aqueous Phase Separation Behavior of Highly Syndiotactic, High Molecular Weight Polymers with Densely Packed
Dorette S Tromp1, Marianne Lankelma1, Hannah de Valk1
1Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), Department of Homogeneous and Supramolecular Catalysis, Universiteit van Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94720, 1090 GS Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Abstract:
Herein we describe the Rh-catalyzed C1 polymerization of silyl-protected diazoacetates of the general formula HC(=N2)C(=O)O(CH2) OSiR3, where x = 2-5. After polymerization and subsequent desilylation, syndiotactic polymers bearing a hydroxy-containing side group on every backbone carbon are obtained. The molecular weight of the desired polymers can be controlled via chain transfer with methanol during the polymerization. The produced polymers are compared to atactic analogues formed by [(η3-C3H5)PdCl]-catalyzed polymerization of silyl-protected diazoacetates with the same general formula. While the polymers produced by the Rh and Pd catalysts have the same hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance, the stereoregularity of the polymers formed by the Rh catalyst was found to be of influence on the thermoresponsive behavior of the polymer. The effect of this stereoregularity on the thermoresponsive phase separation behavior of the produced polymers in aqueous solution was investigated.
Related Concept Videos
Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight
The number average molecular weight (Mn) is the summation of the number...
Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Chemical Reactions in Aqueous Solutions
Polymers

