Combining spontaneous polymerization and click reactions for the synthesis of polymer brushes: A grafting onto approach

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/chem.201202534

Two novel benzofulvene monomers bearing propargyl or allyl groups have been synthesized by means of readily accessible reactions, and were found to polymerize spontaneously by solvent removal, in the apparent absence of catalysts or initiators, to give the corresponding polybenzofulvene derivatives bearing clickable propargyl or allyl moieties. The clickable propargyl and allyl groups were exploited in appropriate click reactions to develop a powerful and versatile grafting onto synthetic methodology for obtaining tailored polymer brushes. A clean sweep: Two novel benzofulvene monomers bearing either propargyl or allyl groups were found to polymerize spontaneously by solvent removal in the absence of catalysts or initiators to give the corresponding polybenzofulvene derivatives bearing clickable propargyl or allyl moieties. These derivatives were modified using click reactions, thus demonstrating a grafting onto methodology for the synthesis of tailored polymer brushes (see figure). Copyright