title: Sequence-Controlled Polymers via Simultaneous Living Anionic Copolymerization of Competing Monomers.
abstract: Natural macromolecules, i.e., sequence-controlled polymers, build the basis for life. In synthetic macromolecular chemistry, reliable tools for the formation of sequence-controlled macromolecules are rare. A robust and efficient chain-growth approach based on the simultaneous living anionic polymerization of sulfonamide-activated aziridines for sequence control of up to five competing monomers resulting in gradient copolymers is presented. The simultaneous azaanionic copolymerization is monitored by real-time (1) H NMR spectroscopy for each monomer at any time during the reaction. The monomer sequence can be adjusted by the monomer reactivity, depending on the electron-withdrawing effect by the sulfonamide (nosyl-, brosyl-, tosyl-, mesyl-, busyl) groups. This method offers unique opportunities for sequence control by competing copolymerization: a step forward to well-engineered synthetic polymers with defined microstructures.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Arda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alkan
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manhart
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Frederik R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Wurm
mesh_terms: D000838:Anions / Q000737:chemistry; D001388:Aziridines / Q000737:chemistry; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis*
chemical_list: D000838:Anions; D001388:Aziridines; D011108:Polymers
keywords: anionic polymerization; aziridines; copolymerization; ring-opening polymerization; sequence-controlled polymers