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Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst
Published on: April 22, 2016
Asymmetric Ion-Pairing Photoredox Catalysis for Stereoselective Cationic Polymerization under Light Control
Zan Yang1,2, Yun Liao1,2, Zhengyi Zhang1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
Abstract:
By virtue of noninvasive regulations by light, photocontrolled polymerizations have attracted considerable attention for the precision synthesis of macromolecules. However, a cationic polymerization with simultaneous photocontrol and tacticity-regulation remains elusive so far. Herein, we introduce an asymmetric ion-pairing photoredox catalysis strategy that allows for the development of a stereoselective cationic polymerization with concurrent light regulation for the first time. By employing an ion pair catalyst (PC+/*A-) consisting of a photoredox active cation (PC+) and a sterically confined chiral anion (*A-) to deliver the stereochemical control, the cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers can be achieved with photocontrol and high isotactic selectivity (up to 91% m) at a remarkable low catalyst loading (50 ppm).
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