What Limits the Molecular Weight and Controlled Synthesis of Poly(3-alkyltellurophene)s?

Polytellurophenes are an emerging class of conjugated polymers; however, their controlled polymerization leading to high molecular weight materials has been a major challenge. Here we present a systematic investigation of the synthesis of poly(3-alkyltellurophene)s using the catalyst transfer polycondensation methodology. Learning that previous syntheses were limited by both polymerization reaction kinetics and polymer solubility, we design new tellurophene monomers to overcome these limitations. Controlled polymerization behavior up to Mn = 25 kDa, chain extension, block copolymerization, external initiation, and well-defined end groups are demonstrated for poly(3-alkyltellurophene)s with …

Tetrahydrofuran: More than a “Randomizer” in the Living Anionic Copolymerization of Styrene and Isoprene: Kinetics, Microstructures, Morphologies, and Mechanical Properties

The statistical anionic copolymerization of isoprene (I) and styrene (S) is commonly used to synthesize tapered block copolymers, enabling control of the phase behavior by adjusting the order–disor...

Systematic Variation of the Degree of Branching (DB) of Polyglycerol via Oxyanionic Copolymerization of Glycidol with a Protected Glycidyl Ether and Its Impact on Rheological Properties

Local and Subchain Relaxation of Polyisoprene in Multiblock Copolymers with a Tapered Interface

We report on the local and (sub-) chain dynamics in a new class of tapered multiblock copolymers synthesized by the repeated statistical living anionic copolymerization of a mixture of isoprene and...

Kinetics of Anionic Living Copolymerization of Isoprene and Styrene Using in Situ NIR Spectroscopy: Temperature Effects on Monomer Sequence and Morphology

The living anionic copolymerization of isoprene (I) and styrene (S) can afford a variety of different polymer microstructures that strongly depend on experimental parameters such as solvent, counte...

Building Bridges by Blending: Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Binary Tapered Diblock/Multiblock Copolymer Blends

Isoprene/Styrene Tapered Multiblock Copolymers with up to Ten Blocks: Synthesis, Phase Behavior, Order, and Mechanical Properties

The living anionic copolymerization of isoprene and styrene in cyclohexane affords tapered block copolymers due to the highly disparate reactivity ratios of rI = 12.8 and rS = 0.051. Repeated addit...