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Barbier Hyperbranching Polymerization-Induced Emission from an AB-Type Monomer
Yu-Jing Sheng1,2, Min Su2, Hang Xiao2,3
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, P. R. China.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|June 2, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a one-pot method for synthesizing nonconjugated luminescent hyperbranched polymers using Barbier hyperbranching polymerization-induced emission (PIE). This novel approach expands the design of luminescent polymers and hyperbranched materials.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Organic Synthesis
Background:
- Traditional luminescent polymers often face challenges like poor solubility and complex synthesis.
- Synthesizing hyperbranched polymers from AB-type monomers remains a significant hurdle in polymer chemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel one-pot synthesis of nonconjugated luminescent hyperbranched polymers.
- To explore the mechanism of polymerization-induced emission (PIE) in these novel materials.
- To expand the molecular design and preparation strategies for hyperbranched and luminescent polymers.
Main Methods:
- Employed a Barbier hyperbranching polymerization strategy using an AB-type monomer.
- Utilized a one-pot reaction involving an organohalide and an ester group, achieving bi-functionalization of a mono-functional group via two-step nucleophilic additions.
- Synthesized hyperbranched polytriphenylmethanols (HPTPM) and investigated their luminescent properties.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized nonconjugated luminescent hyperbranched polymers (HPTPM) through a one-pot Barbier reaction.
- Demonstrated that the synthesized HPTPMs exhibit polymerization-induced emission (PIE) due to through-space conjugation and charge-transfer effects.
- Showed that the luminescent behavior (aggregation-induced emission or aggregation-caused quenching) is tunable by monomer structure and polymerization time, specifically related to phenyl group rotation.
Conclusions:
- The developed 'bi-functionalization of mono-functional group' strategy enables efficient one-pot synthesis of hyperbranched polymers.
- Nonconjugated HPTPMs function as tunable PIEgens, expanding the scope of luminescent polymer materials.
- Potential applications in explosive detection and artificial light harvesting systems were highlighted.
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