Vitamin C Loaded Polyethylene: Synthesis and Properties of Precise Polyethylene with Vitamin C Defects via Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polycondensation

A polyethylene-like polymer with an in-chain vitamin C group was synthesized by olefin metathesis polymerization. Here, we describe both the synthesis and a comprehensive physical characterization. Because of the olefin metathesis synthesis, the vitamin C groups are equidistantly arranged in the polyethylene (PE) main chain. Their separation was adjusted to 20 CH2 units. After hydrogenation, a semicrystalline polymer is obtained that is soluble in polar solvents. Because of its size and steric effect, the vitamin C acts as a chain defect, which is expelled from the crystal lattice, yielding a lamellar crystal with a homogeneous thickness corresponding to the interdefect distance. The physic…