Architectural Control of Isosorbide-Based Polyethers via Ring-Opening Polymerization

Isosorbide is a rigid, sugar-derived building block that has shown promise in high-performance materials, albeit with a lack of available controlled polymerization methods. To this end, we provide mechanistic insights into the cationic and quasi-zwitterionic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of an annulated isosorbide derivative (1,4:2,5:3,6-trianhydro-d-mannitol, 5). Ring-opening selectivity of this tricyclic ether was achieved, and the polymerization is selectively directed toward different macromolecular architectures, allowing for formation of either linear or cyclic polymers. Notably, straightforward recycling of unreacted monomer can be accomplished via sublimation. This work provides the first platform for tailored polymer architectures from isosorbide via ROP.