Organobase-Catalyzed Carboxyl-yne Click Polymerization

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis
• Materials Science

Background:

• Polyesters are widely used but traditional synthesis methods (polycondensation, ring-opening polymerization) have limitations.
• High temperatures, long reaction times, and functional group intolerance hinder polyester development.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop a novel, mild polymerization method for polyesters.
• Synthesize regio- and stereoregular poly(β-acyloxyacrylate)s.
• Explore the versatile properties and applications of the synthesized polymers.

Main Methods:

• Organobase-catalyzed click polymerization of ester-activated alkynes and bis(carboxylic acid)s.
• Achieved high yields (up to 96%) and controlled molecular weights (up to 24200 g/mol).

Main Results:

• Synthesized regio- and stereoregular poly(β-acyloxyacrylate)s under mild conditions.
• Aliphatic polymers showed crystalline behavior; aromatic polymers exhibited high thermal stability.
• Polymers with tetraphenylethene units demonstrated a balance of high refractive index and Abbé Number.
• Polymers exhibited rapid degradation via dynamic β-acyloxyacrylate units, enabling fluorescent photopattern fabrication.

Conclusions:

• Established a powerful new polymerization method for polyesters.
• Developed a facile postmodification reaction for materials with carbonyl groups.
• Enriched the scope of X-yne click polymerization with new polyester materials.