As a polymerization technique, living cationic polymerization presents a means to synthesize precisely defined, functional polymers. A variety of architectures can be readily accessed and precisely synthesized using this method including block copolymers, graft polymers and star-shaped polymers. Furthermore, in comparison to other polymer synthesis techniques, cationic polymerization offers access to polymers that are not readily accessible using other methods, such as poly(vinyl ether) or poly(isobutylene).A variety of functionality can be introduced into polymers synthesized using living cationic polymerization. Perhaps the most prevalent is the synthesis of thermally responsive polymers, including poly(2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether) (poly(MOVE)) and poly(2-ethoxyethyl vinyl ether) (poly(EOVE)). In addition to these thermally responsive polymers, photosensitive and pH sensitive polymers have also been developed. For example, the introduction of 4-[2-(vinyloxy)ethoxy]azobenzene (AzoVE) introduces the azobenzene functional group into the polymer. In the case of pH sensitive polymers, polymers containing either primary amines or carboxylic acid moieties have been developed. More recently, selectively cleavable polymers have also been introduced.By introducing these various stimuli responsive groups into different polymer structures, functional polymers suited for a wide variety of applications can be synthesized. Furthermore, as the structure of the polymer changes, the various properties exhibited by the polymer, such as the solubility temperature for lower critical solution temperature (LCST) polymers can also show significant change. Recent work in developing functional polymers with various architectures will be discussed.?

Recent developments in the synthesis of stimuli-sensitive polymers via living cationic polymerization

248th National Meeting (2014)

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