Template-assisted selective radical addition toward sequence-regulated polymerization: Lariat capture of target monomer by template initiator

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja1070575

Surprisingly high monomer selectivity was demonstrated in competitive radical addition with two kinds of methacrylates carrying sodium and ammonium cation. Crucial is size-specific recognition by a lariat crown ether embedded close to the reactive halide in a designer template initiator. Especially, a combination with an active ruthenium catalyst led to outstanding selectivity at low temperature. This template system will open the way to unprecedented sequence-regulated polymerization.