Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T18:16:55.989Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Synthesis of Arborescent Polymers by “Click” Grafting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 February 2014

Toufic Aridi
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Institute for Polymer Research, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Mario Gauthier
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Institute for Polymer Research, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Get access

Abstract

A novel method was developed for the preparation of arborescent (dendritic graft) polymers, by successive grafting reactions of linear chain segments using alkyne-azide “click” chemistry coupling. A linear polystyrene substrate was thus randomly functionalized with acetylene functionalities, by acetylation and further reaction with propargyl bromide in the presence of potassium hydroxide and 18-crown-6 in toluene. The anionic polymerization of styrene was achieved with 6-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-hexyllithium to obtain polystyrene with a protected hydroxyl chain end. Deprotection of the hydroxyl group, followed by conversion into tosyl and azide functionalities yielded the material serving as side chains in the grafting reactions. Coupling of the azide-terminated side chains with the acetylene-functionalized substrate in the presence of a Cu(I) catalyst proceeded in up to 93% yield. Additional cycles of substrate functionalization and side chain coupling led to arborescent polymers of generations G1 and G2, with low polydispersity indices (Mw/Mn≈ 1.1), in 60-84% yield. These polymers are characterized by a very compact structure, and molecular weights increasing geometrically over successive generations. A similar methodology was also shown to work for the synthesis of arborescent polybutadiene systems, using azide-functionalized substrates and alkyne-terminated side chains. The coupling reaction proceeded in up to 76% yield under optimized conditions for these systems.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Aridi, T. and Gauthier, M. in Complex Macromolecular Architectures: Synthesis, Characterization, and Self-Assembly, edited by Hadjichristidis, N., Hirao, A., Tezuka, Y., DuPrez, F.. (Wiley, New York, 2011, Chapter 6).Google Scholar
Hawker, C. J. and Wooley, K. L., Science 309, 1200 (2005).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kolb, H. C., Finn, M. G. and Sharpless, K. B., Angew. Chem, Int. Ed. 40, 2004 (2001).3.0.CO;2-5>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kolb, H. C. and Sharpless, K. B., Drug Discovery Today 8, 1128 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huisgen, R., in 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditional Chemistry, edited by Padwa, A.. (Wiley, New York, 1984).Google Scholar
Li, J. and Gauthier, M., Macromolecules 34, 8918 (2001).Google Scholar
Abele, E., Abele, R., Popelis, Y., Mazheika, I. and Lukevics, E., Chem. Heterocyclic Comp. 35, 436 (1999).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dhara, M. G., Baskaran, D. and Sivaram, S., J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 46, 2132 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moberg, C. and IlTkos, I., React. Polym. 16, 171(1991/1992).Google Scholar
Wagner, J. M., McElhinny, C. J. Jr., Lewin, A. H. and Carroll, F. I., Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 14, 2119 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dahlin, N., Bøgevig, A. and Adolfsson, H., Adv. Synth. Catal. 346, 1101 (2004).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fallais, I., Devaux, J., Jérôme, R., J. Polym.Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 38, 1618 (2000).3.0.CO;2-C>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moingeon, F., Wu, Y. R., Sanchez-Cadena, L. and Gauthier, M., J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 50, 1819 (2012).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhu, L., Liu, L. and Jiang, M., Macromol. Rapid Commun. 17, 37 (1996).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ergin, M., Kiskan, B., Gacal, B. and Yagci, Y., Macromolecules 40, 4724 (2007).Google Scholar
Gauthier, M. and Möller, M., Macromolecules 24, 4548 (1991).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gauthier, M., Li, J. and Dockendorff, J., Macromolecules 36, 2642 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar