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Abstract The sustainable synthesis of macromolecules with control over sequence and molar mass remains a challenge in polymer chemistry. By coupling mechanochemistry and electron‐transfer processes (i.e., mechanoredox catalysis), an energy‐conscious controlled radical polymerization methodology is realized. This work explores an efficient mechanoredox reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization process using mechanical stimuli by implementing piezoelectric barium titanate and a diaryliodonium initiator with minimal solvent usage. This mechanoredox RAFT process demonstrates exquisite control over poly(meth)acrylate dispersity and chain length while also showcasing an alternative to the solution‐state synthesis of semifluorinated polymers that typically utilize exotic solvents and/or reagents. This chemistry will find utility in the sustainable development of materials across the energy, biomedical, and engineering communities.
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A solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis of polyaromatic hydrocarbon derivatives
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons are central molecules in the future of nanotechnology. However, the synthesis of these molecules is limited by their lack of solubility in solvents, especially green solvents, their ease of oxidation in solution and use of harmful reagents. Solvent-free mechanochemistry has been shown to have excellent potential for these types of molecules and should provide a much more environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of this very important class of molecules. This report details the use of mechanochemistry on an iterative strategy for the synthesis of polyaromatic hydrocarbon derivatives.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1659648
- PAR ID:
- 10125783
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- RSC Advances
- Volume:
- 9
- Issue:
- 48
- ISSN:
- 2046-2069
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 27888 to 27891
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
-
Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA04921E
