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Direct Synthesis of Well-Defined Epoxide-Terminated Telechelic Polymers via an Alcohol-Mediated Self-Switching Strategy

delete2026-08-13
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PRE
AI
S
Shuo Yan
S
Shunjie Liu *
Z
Zihe Liu
C
Can Liao
Q
Qinghai ZHOU
H
Hongming Zhang
王献红 (Xianhong Wang) *
DOI:10.1002/anie.4383253delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
The one-step synthesis of well-defined telechelic polymers represents a highly attractive approach, providing an efficient alternative to conventional stepwise synthetic protocols. However, achieving such control remains challenging due to the competitive nature of chain propagation and end-group functionalization, which often leads to uncontrolled chain-end structures and broad dispersities. Here, we report an alcohol-mediated self-switching strategy, in which the dominant chain-end reaction shifts from propagation to end-group functionalization upon consumption of one monomer component within a single reaction system. Using epichlorohydrin, a multisite monomer, as a model for the ring-opening alternating copolymerization with cyclic anhydrides, we obtained well-defined epoxide-terminated telechelic polyesters with narrow dispersities (Đ ∼ 1.1), high end-group fidelity (>99%), and controllable linear, three-arm, and four-arm architectures under alcohol-mediated conditions. Mechanistic studies reveal that monomer activation and stabilization of the living species through hydrogen-bonding interactions, combined with the zero-order kinetics of cyclic anhydride, facilitate rapid propagation while suppressing premature functionalization. Subsequent intramolecular cyclization of β-chlorohydrin living chain ends, along with proton-transfer-induced dehydrochlorination of β-chlorohydrin dormant chain ends, collectively ensure quantitative epoxide end-group formation. These results elucidate the catalyst-like roles of alcohol and establish self-switching of competing chain-end reactions as a practical strategy for the direct synthesis of well-defined telechelic polymers.
Keywords:
copolymerization
epichlorohydrin
hydrogen bonding
self-switching
telechelic polymers

Journal

Angewandte Chemie-International Edition cover
Angewandte Chemie-International Edition
IF:
16.9
Papers:
5.6W
Citations:
53.0W

Organization

C
chinese academy of sciences
Scholars:
54.9W
Papers: 44.5W
Citations: 703
Cited Papers

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