Kiesewetter MK, Edward JA, Kim H, Waymouth RM * Stanford University, USA
Polycondensation of Butenediol:
Synthesis of Telechelic 2-Butene-1,4-diol Oligomers.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011;
133: 16390-16393
Key words
polymerization - dehydration - functional materials
Significance
This method takes a readily available monomer and converts it into a polymer that
is not accessible by traditional approaches to polyethers, such as cationic ring-opening
polymerization. The novel dehydrative element that comes about from
oxidative addition of the monomer to a RuII solvent complex to provide an allyl RuIV complex. This intermediate, when attacked by another monomer or macromolecular hydroxyl,
produces linear or branched structures depending upon
which end of the allyl reacts. The fact that the chains grow from both ends, classifies
this method as a telechelic polymerization–oligomerization.
Comment
The alkenes in these materials and the ether structure provide additional opportunities
for functionalization to create polar, functionalized, and/or cross-linked materials
for use in biomedical applications. In addition, the authors have
shown that the terminal hydroxy groups can be used in ring-opening polymerizations
of cyclic esters to create ABA block copolymers.
