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Updated: Jul 12, 2025
05:48
Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes
Published on: November 21, 2017
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Flow Optimization of Photoredox-Mediated Metal-Free Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization.
Vincent P Rigoglioso1, Andrew J Boydston1,2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States.
ACS Macro Letters
|October 23, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a continuous flow process for metal-free ring-opening metathesis polymerization (MF-ROMP). This droplet flow method achieves batch-like polymer yields, improving efficiency and safety for MF-ROMP production.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Organic Synthesis
- Flow Chemistry
Background:
- Photoredox-mediated metal-free ring-opening metathesis polymerization (MF-ROMP) offers a metal-free route to polymers.
- Transitioning MF-ROMP to continuous flow processes remains underexplored, hindering potential production benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the feasibility of continuous flow MF-ROMP.
- To evaluate different flow reactor setups for MF-ROMP.
- To compare flow MF-ROMP performance against traditional batch methods.
Main Methods:
- Design and implementation of continuous flow and droplet flow reactor systems.
- Evaluation of MF-ROMP using common monomers in both batch and flow conditions.
- Comparative analysis of polymer conversion and reaction efficiency between setups.
Main Results:
- Achieved polymer conversions comparable to batch MF-ROMP using a droplet flow reactor.
- Successfully circumvented diffusion-limited mixing issues inherent in some flow systems.
- Demonstrated improved handling of air-sensitive reactions in the flow setup.
Conclusions:
- Continuous flow MF-ROMP is achievable, offering advantages over batch processing.
- Droplet flow reactors provide an effective platform for efficient and safe MF-ROMP.
- This work paves the way for scalable and modular production of ROMP polymers.
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