In order to allow otherwise incompatible catalysts to work together, we propose that a polymeric monolith can be employed to separate incompatible catalysts, such as iridium and ruthenium catalytic complexes, into their own local environments which will allow them to work in tandem. This project focuses on the synthesis of a triblock polymer, polystyrene-block-polyethylene glycol-block-polylactide(PS-b-PEG-b-PLA) to test our synthetic protocols for polymerization and metal complex attachment as well as perform extensive molecular characterization before we synthesize the targeted cross-linked polymeric monolith. Starting with a commercial PEG, we have successfully protected either one or both of the terminal hydroxyl groups with a tosylate group. In addition, we used organocatalyzed ring-opening polymerization of lactide to chain extend from both PEG and methylated PEG to make PLA-b-PEG-b-PLA triblock polymers and mPEG-b-PLA diblock polymers. We will access our desired PS-b-PEG-b-PLA triblock polymer via chain extension of monotosylated PEG with lactide, followed by removal of the tosylate, addition of a chain transfer agent, and reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene.

Building structured polymers as supports to enable tandem catalysis

ACS Spring 2022

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