Polymer stereoregularity, often referred to as tacticity, has been shown to dramatically influence material properties. Despite advancements in coordination-insertion polymerization methods used for the synthesis of stereoregular poly(α-olefin)s, polar isotactic polymers have remained a challenging synthetic target. Inspired by recent progress in the field of small-molecule asymmetric ion pairing catalysis, we have explored the use of chiral anions and chiral hydrogen bond donors to achieve polar thermoplastics through the stereoselective cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers. In this lecture, I will discuss a combination of kinetic investigations, temperature dependent stereoselectivity analyses, and computational studies that elucidate key design principles. Further, I will present a systematic evaluation of monomer substrates that establishes key structure-reactivity and structure-property relationships for stereoselective homo- and copolymerization, including the use of enantioenriched monomers.

Stereoselective cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers through asymmetric ion-pairing catalysis

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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