Nature is an infinite source of inspiration for researchers, especially in the field of synthetic polymer chemistry. While natural biomacromolecules, such as DNA, proteins and polysaccharides, are polymerized with highly controlled sequences via biocatalytic reactions, sequence control in synthetic polymers has remained extremely challenging. Our approach has been to develop new catalytic routes to prepare multi-block copolyesters, using a novel sequence controlled method which is capable of a very unusual type of chemo-selectivity. This method has enabled us to prepare a range of different multi-block copolyesters incorporating hard/soft or hydrophilic/phobic segments with high selectivity from a multi-component feedstock (mixtures of monomers). This lecture will focus on the ability to sequentially and selectively polymerize lactones, epoxides and cyclic anhydrides to produce a range of these novel copolyesters. The polymerization methods, controlled nature and properties of the aliphatic polyesters will be described and opportunities for their future applications as commodity and/or biomedical materials will be highlighted.

Chemoselective polymerization: From multicomponent feedstocks to sequence controlled block copolyesters

250th National Meeting (2015)

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