Switchable catalysis, wherein the reactivity of a catalytically active species can be altered in situ with application of an external stimulus, is emerging as a useful way to assemble molecules into sophisticated macromolecular architectures. In this talk, the development of an electrochemical method is disclosed that serves as a toggle switch for redox-switchable ring-opening polymerization reactions between the bio-derived monomer lactide and an epoxide. Block copolymers containing the biodegradable polymer poly(lactic acid) could be obtained from mixtures of the monomers, and the polymer microstructure could be altered through the application of an electrical potential. The advent of this method provides an important step towards automating the synthesis of biodegradable polymers with tunable mechanical properties and degradation profiles.

E switchable polymerization catalysis

2019 Fall National Meeting

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