Cyclic polymers comprise an interesting class of materials which have been shown to display increased glass transition temperatures, enhanced diffusion, as well as reduced viscosities and hydrodynamic radii when compared to their linear analogs. However, access to these unique macromolecules generally suffers from an involved synthesis, thus limiting the potential applications. A further challenge is presented when varying the polymer composition in addition to the molecular topology. For example, block copolymers receive much attention because of their wide range of applications; yet varying the molecular architecture (i.e. cyclic vs linear) of block copolymers remains relatively unstudied. We have synthesized cyclic polystyrene-b-polyethylene oxide polymers by combining controlled polymerization techniques and �click� chemistry in a versatile bimolecular homodifunctional approach. This strategy could potentially allow for access to a variety of cyclic block copolymers and a deeper understanding of their properties and applications.

General synthetic strategy for cyclic polymers from homodifunctional telechelic precursors

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.