Versatile and robust syntheses that can provide access to materials with precise architectures and tailorable properties are instrumental in developing application-relevant technologies. In this talk, alkylborane complexes will be explored as a new and powerful platform for fabricating well-defined macromolecules, nanocomposites, and adhesives. Alkylborane initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (AI-RAFT) is discussed as a initiation strategy for synthesizing well-defined polymers at room-temperature while in the presence of oxygen. The mechanism and structure-reactivity relationships of this initiation system are explored using a range of alkylborane Lewis acid-base pairs, chemical deblockers, and reaction conditions for optimizing polymerization. The utility of alkylboranes is further extended to synthesizing nanocomposites through thiol-ene click chemistry, highlighting the advantages/disadvantages of alkylborane initiation, and also as a powerful means for ambient and rapid bonding of polymeric substrates using free-radical polymerization.

Synthesizing precise macromolecules, nanocomposites, and adhesives with alkylborane complexes

ACS Spring 2022

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