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Coenzyme-Catalyzed Electro-RAFT Polymerization.

Wei Sang¹, Miaomiao Xu¹, Qiang Yan¹

¹State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.

ACS Macro Letters

|June 2, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers discovered electrochemically switchable reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (eRAFT) using biochemical coenzymes as catalysts. This method allows precise control over polymer synthesis by toggling polymerization ON and OFF with electrical potential.

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Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Organic Electrochemistry
Biocatalysis

Background:

Controlled polymerization techniques are crucial for synthesizing polymers with specific properties.
Electrochemical methods offer precise control over chemical reactions but have limitations in polymerization.
Biochemical coenzymes possess unique redox properties applicable in catalysis.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel electrochemically switchable reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (eRAFT) method.
To explore the use of biochemical coenzymes as efficient electroredox catalysts for controlled polymerization.
To demonstrate the ability to toggle polymerization ON and OFF using external electrical potential.

Main Methods:

Utilized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and its oxidized form (NAD+) as coenzyme catalysts.
Employed external electrical potential to control the redox state of the coenzyme catalyst.
Investigated the polymerization of various monomers using ppm levels of coenzyme catalysts.

Main Results:

Successfully demonstrated eRAFT polymerization mediated by biochemical coenzymes.
Showcased reversible ON/OFF switching of polymerization by tuning applied potential.
Achieved polymers with targeted molecular weight, low dispersity, and high chain-end fidelity using ppm-level catalysts.

Conclusions:

Biochemical coenzymes can act as highly efficient electroredox catalysts for eRAFT polymerization.
This bioorganic-based strategy provides a versatile platform for electro-controlled polymerization.
The developed method opens new avenues for synthesizing well-structured polymers via electrocatalysis.