Chloroformate functions, conversion polymer

Figure 2. Conversion of chloroformate functions corresponding to different triads (i,h,s) vs the degree of substitution of the polymer.

Post-polymerization functionalization has also been applied to the synthesis of terpyridine-modified polymers [ 126]. In a recent approach, Schubert and colleagues employed this method to prepare poly(pentafluorostyrene) with terpyridines in the side chains [127]. First, poly(pentafluorostyrene) with a narrow polydispersity index of just 1.08 was synthesized by nitroxide-mediated polymerization. In a second step, this polymer was converted with amine-functionalized terpyridine under microwave heating, selectively substituting the para-fluorines. Addition of iron(II) sulfate to a solution of the terpyridine-functionalized polymer in a mixture of chloroform and methanol leads to gelation at a polymer concentration of 33 g In another work, Schubert and coworkers prepared metal-cross-Iinked polymer networks from linear and tri-arm PEG precursors, both functionalized with terpyridine at their OH-termini [128]. Quantitative functionalization of these precursors was achieved by conversion of the hydroxy-functionalized PEG derivatives with 4-chloro-2,2 6, 2"-terpyridine under basic conditions. However, quantitative cross-linking with iron(II) chloride was not observed in methanol solutions, neither at room temperature nor at elevated temperature, but only a small quantity of cross-linked material precipitated from the solution. This observation was attributed to a strong tendency of the tri-arm PEG to form intramolecular complexes, acting as a chain stopper rather than as a cross-linker. 

---