Synthesis of sequence-controlled polymers via sequential thiol-ene and amino-yne click reactions in one pot

Abstract

Sequence-controlled polymers are prepared by the combination of thiol-ene click reaction and amino-yne click reaction. Due to the high selectivity of the amine unit and thiol unit toward thiolactone, methacrylate, propiolate, etc., the sequence of the resulting polymers can be easily controlled by monomer-addition sequence. Moreover, thiol-ene click reaction and amino-yne click reaction can be carried out under mild conditions without need of any catalyst. Different kinds of sequence-controlled copolymers have been prepared by the combination of thiol-ene click reaction and amino-yne click reaction in one pot. NMR spectra and GPC traces confirmed the formation of polymers with high molecular weight and controlled sequence structure. Therefore, we provide a new method for the preparation of functional polymers with well-controlled sequences.