Triblock Terpolymers by Simultaneous Tandem Block Polymerization (STBP)

Macromol Rapid Commun. 2016 Feb;37(3):209-14. doi: 10.1002/marc.201500568. Epub 2015 Dec 7.

Abstract

A route of synthesizing triblock terpolymers in a one-pot, "one-step" polymerization approach is presented. The combination of two distinct polymerization techniques through orthogonal catalyst/initiator functionalities attached to a polymeric linker furnishes novel pathways to ABC-terpolymers. Both polymerizations have to be compatible regarding mechanisms, chosen monomers, and solvents. Here, an α,ω-heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) serves as poly-meric catalyst/initiator to obtain triblock terpolymers of poly(norbornene)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactic acid) PNB-PEG-PLLA via simultaneous ring opening metathesis poly-merization and ring opening polymerization in a fast one-pot polymerization. Structural characterization of the polymers is provided via (1)H-, DOSY-, and (1)H,(1)H-COSY-NMR, while solution and thin film self-assembly are investigated by dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy.

Keywords: ring opening metathesis polymerization; ring opening polymerization; simultaneous polymerization; tandem polymerization; triblock terpolymer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzyl Alcohol / chemical synthesis
  • Benzyl Alcohol / chemistry
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Lactic Acid / chemistry
  • Ligands
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Molecular Weight
  • Polyesters
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polymerization*
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis*
  • Polymers / chemistry

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Polyesters
  • Polymers
  • Lactic Acid
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • poly(lactide)
  • Benzyl Alcohol