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Independent Control of Elastomer Properties through Stereocontrolled Synthesis
Author(s) -
Bell Craig A.,
Yu Jiayi,
Barker Ian A.,
Truong Vinh X.,
Cao Zhen,
Dobrinyin Andrey V.,
Becker Matthew L.,
Dove Andrew P.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201606750
Subject(s) - elastomer , crystallinity , monomer , molar mass , materials science , surface modification , polymerization , vulcanization , polymer chemistry , polymer , chemical engineering , polymer science , chemistry , composite material , natural rubber , engineering
Abstract In most synthetic elastomers, changing the physical properties by monomer choice also results in a change to the crystallinity of the material, which manifests through alteration of its mechanical performance. Using organocatalyzed stereospecific additions of thiols to activated alkynes, high‐molar‐mass elastomers were isolated via step‐growth polymerization. The resulting controllable double‐bond stereochemistry defines the crystallinity and the concomitant mechanical properties as well as enabling the synthesis of materials that retain their excellent mechanical properties through changing monomer composition. Using this approach to elastomer synthesis, further end group modification and toughening through vulcanization strategies are also possible. The organocatalytic control of stereochemistry opens the realm to a new and easily scalable class of elastomers that will have unique chemical handles for functionalization and post synthetic processing.