The use of external stimuli to toggle catalysts, initiators, or reactive intermediates between distinct states is a promising method to enable control over the initiation and/or propagation steps of a polymerization. Toward this goal, researchers have demonstrated unprecedented methods by which monomer selectivity, kinetics, molecular weight, conversion, sequence, dispersity, tacticity, and polymer architecture may be manipulated. In many cases, these polymerizations employ latent catalysts or initiators that are dormant until an external stimulus is applied, thereby providing temporal control over the polymerization. Among the list of available stimuli, light is the most commonly used due to its inexpensive, non-invasive, and environmentally benign nature. Moreover, it can be selectively applied through controlled exposure, or use of a photomask, enabling spatiotemporal control over the polymerization process. The ability to spatiotemporally control polymerization initiation provides the enabling chemistry required for many advanced applications, such as 3D printing, photolithography, and laser imaging, as well as photoresponsive coatings, inks, adhesives, and biomaterials.<br/><br/>Although photoinitiation is a proven and viable means to modulate several polymerization types, such as reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP), ring opening polymerization (ROP), cationic polymerization, and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), the photoinduced initiation of olefin polymerization precatalysts is heretofore unknown. As a result, spatiotemporal control of olefin polymerizations has yet to be achieved. To overcome this fundamental gap in current capabilities, we will demonstrate a novel methodology that enables the photoinduced initiation of olefin polymerization precatalysts, thereby imparting spatiotemporal control in solution-state and heterogeneous olefin polymerizations. Our preliminary results establish proof-of-principle evidence supporting the feasibility of this photoinduced initiation of olefin polymerization (PIOP) strategy and provide insight into potential future applications.

Development of photoinduced olefin polymerizations

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

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