Precisely Controlled Polymer Architectures

Abstract

A quick survey of the skylines of developing cities across the world allows one to see the enormous number of massive buildings being erected to accommodate the rapidly growing need for new residential, commercial, and governmental infrastructure. Cranes, scaffolding, and half-built skyscrapers offer clear evidence of man’s desire and need to create new structures that accomplish the goals of increasing space, efficiency, quality of life, and functionality. Modern buildings are built by a process that involves an initial assessment of location, analysis of the final structure’s desired utility and functionality, and eventual construction. Blueprints are prepared, the proper tools are identified, and the buildings are subsequently constructed, finalized, and occupied. Many macro­molecules are engineered in a similar manner. Synthetic polymer chemists attempt to address the need for new materials or applications by designing, preparing, and testing new macromolecules. This process of macro­molecular engineering has been enabled through the continued development of new routes for synthesis. Indeed, controlled poly­merization techniques, new routes for post-polymerization functionalization, and the ability to control macromolecular self-assembly have provided access to complex polymer structures that were previously considered inaccessible. In turn, these new macro­molecules have led to a wide diversity of new materials that stand to revolutionize the fields of biology, energy, electronics, coatings, etc. Much in the same way buildings should be thoroughly inspected before they can be occupied, detailed characterization of newly synthesized polymers is a critical component of the macro­molecular engineering process. Molecular weights, topologies, functionalities, and behavior must be determined before a new polymer can be applied in a specific context. These requirements have led to the rapid development of new, enhanced characterization tools that have allowed unprecedented insight into the direct correlation between structure and function. This themed issue of Macro­molecular Rapid Communications highlights exciting recent developments in the field of macromolecular engineering. Many of the reports in this issue describe versatile new synthetic routes that lead to excellent control of molecular weight, chain architecture, and functionality. Others describe simplified or more efficient routes to controlled-sequence or complex topologies that once required tedious syntheses. The diversity of the methods and materials reported here is a testament to the rapidly evolving nature of synthetic polymer chemistry. Considering that the development of many new advanced materials may rely on novel macromolecules of significant complexity or specific functionality, there is no doubt that macromolecular engineering must continue its evolution to keep pace with the needs of our rapidly growing society. Jean-François Lutz Brent Sumerlin Krzysztof Matyjaszewski