6533b7d5fe1ef96bd126454c
RESEARCH PRODUCT
What Limits the Molecular Weight and Controlled Synthesis of Poly(3-alkyltellurophene)s?
Dwight S. SeferosMarvin SteubeMarvin SteubeElisa I. CarreraShuyang Yesubject
Kinetic chain lengthPolymers and Plastics010405 organic chemistryChemistryOrganic ChemistryChain transfer010402 general chemistry01 natural sciences0104 chemical sciencesInorganic ChemistryEnd-groupChain-growth polymerizationPolymerizationPolymer chemistryMaterials ChemistryLiving polymerizationReversible addition−fragmentation chain-transfer polymerizationIonic polymerizationdescription
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 appropriately designed side chains. We clarify the role that side-chain branching point plays on polymerization kinetics and optical properties for these prototypical regioregular polymers. In addition, the effect that monomer addition sequence has on well-defined tellurophene–thiophene block copolymers was studied. The...
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-02-12 | Macromolecules |