Polymer chemistry with nature's precision: design of supramolecular sequence defined polymers. (R-5544)

Today, polymer materials are designed with almost unlimited variations in chain length, dispersity, topology, composition and functionality. However the ability to control the exact order and sequence of monomers in a polymer chain is still one of the last major challenges in polymer chemistry. In this project, the aim is to synthesize sequence defined oligomers and polymers that feature the structural definition of biomolecules via combinations of controlled radical polymerization methods, end group modifications, click reactions, and microreactor technology. Initially, commercially available monomers will be used, but in a second step the focus is shifted towards vinyl monomers with side chains capable of forming multiple hydrogen bonds (MHB). These sequence defined oligomers exhibit supramolecular interactions to be used for molecular recognition with complementary sequence defined MHB counterparts. To exploit this recognition property, the synthesized oligomers will be covalently attached to surfaces using a grafting-to approach and subsequently employed as templates to purify statistical mixtures of sequence controlled oligomers stemming from controlled radical insertion reactions. In this manner, purification of sequence controlled oligomers will be significantly simplified, thus removing one of the major hurdles in their synthesis. As such, the project has the potential to considerably facilitate design and up-scale of complex sequence defined materials in future.

Keywords:POLYMER NETWORKS

Disciplines:Process engineering, Polymeric materials