The ability of Lewis acids to interact with non-bonding electron pairs to form dynamic Lewis acid-base complexes has shown significant promise in sensory, transport, and storage applications. We present a straight-forward synthesis of Lewis acidic borane polymers and their applications as electrolytes for Li-ion batteries and dynamic supramolecular networks. We show that Lewis acidic (macro)molecules increase the solubility of lithium salts in organic solvents due to Lewis acid-base borane-anion interactions and show potential as electrolytes with high lithium transference numbers. Furthermore, the we demonstrate that combining poly(Lewis acid)s with poly(Lewis base)s forms Lewis pair networks that can be transformed from a static precipitate to a firm gel and finally to a dissolved solution by the addition of a competing small-molecule Lewis base. These projects highlight the modularity and tunability encompassed in Lewis acid-base systems.

Poly(Lewis acid)s in Li-ion electrolytes and stimuli-responsive networks

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.