New Strategy for Polymer Functionalization

1. Craig J. Hawker, University of California-Santa Barbara, DMR 1121053 New Strategy for Polymer Functionalization ene reaction 99% acylnitroso generated in-situ at 80 ºC selective alkene functionalization The ability to efficiently and selectivity functionalize polymer scaffolds is crucial for the development of new materials. The thiol-ene and Cu-catalyzed azide/alkyne click reactions are the quintessential postpolymerization methods. Unfortunately, thiols will also perform thiol-yne reactions in the presence of an alkyne. Therefore, the development of a click-like reaction that selectively reacts with alkenes in the presence of alkynes is still desired. To address this challenge, the Read de Alaniz and Hawker group have developed new chemistry based on the acylnitroso ene reaction. Notable, the acylnitroso ene reaction may be used to functionalize polymers containing both alkenes and alkynes (Figure).