Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025

Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes
Published on: November 21, 2017
Controlled Synthesis of Fully π-Conjugated Donor-Acceptor Block Copolymers Using a Ni(II) Diimine Catalyst
Colin R Bridges1, Han Yan1, Adam A Pollit1
1Department of Chemistry, Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.
Abstract:
We use a Ni(II) diimine catalyst to prepare the first examples of the controlled synthesis of electron-rich/electron-deficient all-conjugated diblock copolymers. These catalysts are able to control polymerizations of both electron-rich and electron-deficient monomers, which we attribute to strong association to both monomer types. Block copolymers are prepared by controlled chain extension, and their structure is verified by gel permeation chromatography, 1H NMR, electrochemistry, calorimetry, and atomic force microscopy.
More Related Videos
09:22Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
Published on: February 7, 2017
07:28Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization
Published on: November 27, 2015
Related Concept Videos
[4+2] Cycloaddition of Conjugated Dienes: Diels–Alder Reaction
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
Diels–Alder Reaction Forming Cyclic Products: Stereochemistry
Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Cycloaddition Reactions: Overview
Structure of Conjugated Dienes
Conjugated dienes are compounds characterized by the presence of alternating double and single bonds. In a conjugated system like 1,3-butadiene, the unhybridized 2p orbital on each carbon overlaps continuously, allowing the π electrons to be delocalized across the entire molecule. In contrast, this type of overlap does not occur in cumulated and isolated dienes, such as 2,3-pentadiene and 1,4-pentadiene, respectively. Instead, the π electrons remain localized between the double...