Radical/anionic SRN1-Type Polymerization for Preparation of Polyarenes

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Armido Studer
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation ; Polymer Materials
• Term: from 2013 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 238544132

The project deals with the development of a novel polymerization method for preparation of polyarenes. The method does not need any transition metals and allows for formation of oligoarenes, a compound class which has found importance in materials science. As monomer building blocks aryl Grignard reagents bearing an anionic leaving group will be used. Reactions proceed via a strongly alternating radical/anionic process. Such alternating radical/anionic polymerizations are currently not explored. The presented polymerization process belongs to the class of chain growth polymerizations. In the proposal various low temperature initiation processes are suggested. In addition, various monomers will be prepared and tested in the novel SRN1-polymerization. Analysis of the polyarenes will be conducted by gel permeation chromatography, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and the photophysical properties of the novel materials will be investigated. An additional important point is the development of processes which allow for end group control. Along this line methods and end capping reagents will be developed.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants