Macromolecular Rapid Communications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
45(12)
Published: March 18, 2024
Abstract
Mesoionic
N
‐heterocyclic
olefins
(mNHOs)
have
recently
emerged
as
a
novel
class
of
highly
nucleophilic
and
super‐basic
σ‐donor
compounds.
Making
use
these
properties
in
synthetic
polymer
chemistry,
it
is
shown
that
combination
specific
mNHO
Mg‐based
Lewis
acid
(magnesium
bis(hexamethyldisilazide),
Mg(HMDS)
2
)
delivers
poly(propylene
oxide)
quantitative
yields
from
the
polymerization
corresponding
epoxide
(0.1
mol%
loading).
The
initiation
mechanism
involves
monomer
activation
by
direct
ring‐opening
attack
mNHO,
forming
zwitterionic
propagating
species.
Modulation
thereby
tool
to
impact
efficiency,
revealing
sterically
unencumbered
triazole‐derivative
particularly
useful.
joint
application
mNHOs
together
with
borane‐type
acids
also
outlined,
resulting
high
conversions
fast
kinetics.
Importantly,
while
molar
mass
distributions
remain
relatively
broad,
indicating
faster
propagation
than
initiation,
overall
masses
are
significantly
lower
found
case
regular
NHOs,
underlining
increased
nucleophilicity
ensuing
improved
efficiency
mNHOs.
Angewandte Chemie International Edition,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
62(48)
Published: Oct. 17, 2023
This
work
reported
that
a
silicon-centered
alkyl
borane/ammonium
salt
binary
(two-component)
catalyst
exhibits
much
higher
activity
than
its
bifunctional
analogue
(one-component)
for
the
ring-opening
polymerization
of
propylene
oxide,
showing
7.3
times
at
low
loading
0.01
mol
%,
and
even
15.3
an
extremely
0.002
%.
By
using
19
F
NMR
spectroscopy,
control
experiments,
theoretical
calculation
we
discovered
central
silicon
atom
displays
appropriate
electron
density
larger
intramolecular
cavity,
which
is
useful
to
co-activate
monomer
deliver
propagating
chains,
thus
leading
better
synergic
effect
analogue.
A
unique
two-pathway
initiation
mode
was
proposed
explain
unusual
high
catalytic
system.
study
breaks
traditional
impression
Lewis
acid/nucleophilic
with
poor
because
increase
in
entropy.
Aggregate,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
5(4)
Published: March 10, 2024
Abstract
Polyolefin‐
b
‐poly(ethylene
oxide)
(PEO)
represents
the
most
widely
investigated
amphiphilic
block
copolymers.
So
far,
one‐pot
continuous
synthesis
of
such
hybrid
copolymers
has
only
been
fulfilled
by
anionic
polymerization
through
sequential
addition
vinyl
monomers
and
ethylene
oxide
(EO).
It
still
remains
challenging
to
achieve
altogether
high
efficiency,
molar
mass
for
PEO.
Here,
we
report
a
copolymerization
approach
polyisoprene/polystyrene(PI/PS)‐
‐PEO,
in
which
PI/PS
are
formed
s
BuLi‐initiated
vinyl‐addition
polymerization,
then
situ
employed
as
macroinitiators
ring‐opening
(ROP)
EO
aided
an
organic
Lewis
pair.
The
cooperative
(dual‐ion‐complexing)
catalytic
effect
organobase
triethylborane
is
proven,
first
time,
effective
lithium
alkoxide
initiator
system,
allowing
at
room
temperature
ROP
activity
(complete
conversion
PEO
3–64
kg/mol
reached
1–6
h),
narrow
distribution,
controlled
lengths
composition.
Density
functional
theory
calculation
shows
that
phosphazene
bases
particularly
effective,
compared
with
N
‐heterocyclic
bases,
complexing
Li
+
enhancing
nucleophilicity
oxyanion.
rate
also
affected
‐induced
aggregation
chain‐end
ion
pairs,
though
can
be
offset
adequate
catalyst
loadings.
versatility
this
further
demonstrated
tri‐/tetrablock
ter‐/quaterpolymers
constituted
PI,
PS,
PEO,
poly(propylene
oxide).
Of
great
interest,
PS‐
‐PI‐
‐PEO
triblock
terpolymer
specific
composition
found
form
internally
microphase‐separated
micellar
aggregates
when
dispersed
water.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
45(12)
Published: March 18, 2024
Abstract
Mesoionic
N
‐heterocyclic
olefins
(mNHOs)
have
recently
emerged
as
a
novel
class
of
highly
nucleophilic
and
super‐basic
σ‐donor
compounds.
Making
use
these
properties
in
synthetic
polymer
chemistry,
it
is
shown
that
combination
specific
mNHO
Mg‐based
Lewis
acid
(magnesium
bis(hexamethyldisilazide),
Mg(HMDS)
2
)
delivers
poly(propylene
oxide)
quantitative
yields
from
the
polymerization
corresponding
epoxide
(0.1
mol%
loading).
The
initiation
mechanism
involves
monomer
activation
by
direct
ring‐opening
attack
mNHO,
forming
zwitterionic
propagating
species.
Modulation
thereby
tool
to
impact
efficiency,
revealing
sterically
unencumbered
triazole‐derivative
particularly
useful.
joint
application
mNHOs
together
with
borane‐type
acids
also
outlined,
resulting
high
conversions
fast
kinetics.
Importantly,
while
molar
mass
distributions
remain
relatively
broad,
indicating
faster
propagation
than
initiation,
overall
masses
are
significantly
lower
found
case
regular
NHOs,
underlining
increased
nucleophilicity
ensuing
improved
efficiency
mNHOs.