Abstract
Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of strained cyclophanedienes, initiated by ruthenium-carbene complexes (Grubbs metathesis catalysts), gives phenylenevinylene polymers and copolymers. The as-formed polymers have a backbone of alternating cis- and trans-vinylene linkages. Irradiation with UV light results in an isomerization to an all trans-vinylene microstructure for the polymers. In these polymerizations the polymer chain ends remain active after complete consumption of the initial cyclophanediene monomer and block copolymers can be prepared by addition of further cyclophanediene. The molecular weight of the constituent blocks can be controlled by changing the monomer to initiator ratio. Extensive phase separation between the constituent blocks is observed in thin films of these polymers by atomic force microscopy. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Complex Macromolecular Architectures: Synthesis, Characterization, and Self-Assembly |
| Pages | 377-393 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 3 May 2011 |
Keywords
- Chain-growth polymerization
- Conjugated block polymers
- Cyclophanedienes
- Grubbs catalyst
- Microwave-assisted polymerization
- Phase separation
- Phenylenevinylenes
- Ring-opening metathesis polymerization
- Ruthenium-carbene complexes