We have recently developed a series of structurally simple photolabile protecting groups (PPGs) for protection of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. They are stable under indoor lighting and withstand various chemical treatments; they can be easily installed and removed in high efficiency. Sequential removal of PPGs can be achieved by changing irradiation wavelength and some PPGs can be removed by sunlight light. These new PPGs provide new opportunities for the applications in polymer science. Herein we report our effort in developing new photoresponsive polymers by embedding photocleavable units in junctures of block copolymers and junctures of crosslinked polymeric networks. These photocleavable units are derived from the robust PPGs. The advantage of the PPG-mediated cleavage strategy is multifold, e.g., it will release well defined chemically active functional groups pendant from the polymer framework for post functionalization, and the repertoire of functional materials will thus be significantly enhanced.

Application of new photolabile protecting groups as cleavable joints in photoresponsive polymer synthesis

245th National Meeting (2013)

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