Dispersity-controlled ring-opening polymerization of epoxide
Abstract Dispersity or molar mass distribution (Ð M) profoundly influences polymer properties, but its control remains a challenge, especially for ring-opening polymerization (ROP). We report here a simple approach to tailor Ð M of aliphatic polyethers, e.g., poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62028-x |
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| _version_ | 1849234683601092608 |
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| author | Yubo Zhou Junpeng Zhao Guangzhao Zhang |
| author_facet | Yubo Zhou Junpeng Zhao Guangzhao Zhang |
| author_sort | Yubo Zhou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Dispersity or molar mass distribution (Ð M) profoundly influences polymer properties, but its control remains a challenge, especially for ring-opening polymerization (ROP). We report here a simple approach to tailor Ð M of aliphatic polyethers, e.g., poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide), by introducing an editable chain-transfer reaction in organocatalyzed ROP of epoxides. Trifluoroacetate, acting as the chain-transfer agent (CTA), brings about non-uniform growth of polyether chains while ensuring complete initiation efficiency and readily removable CTA residue. Triple control over Ð M (1.05–2.00), molar mass (3.6–17.7 kg mol−1), and end group is achieved simply by regulating the feed ratio, conforming well with the theoretical modeling. Experimental and calculation results reveal the orthogonality between chain growth and transesterification which is key to the three-modular ROP for independent Ð M control. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5394f78f7de64e35a26bd4fea779c220 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-5394f78f7de64e35a26bd4fea779c2202025-08-20T04:03:03ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-011611810.1038/s41467-025-62028-xDispersity-controlled ring-opening polymerization of epoxideYubo Zhou0Junpeng Zhao1Guangzhao Zhang2Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyFaculty of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyFaculty of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyAbstract Dispersity or molar mass distribution (Ð M) profoundly influences polymer properties, but its control remains a challenge, especially for ring-opening polymerization (ROP). We report here a simple approach to tailor Ð M of aliphatic polyethers, e.g., poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide), by introducing an editable chain-transfer reaction in organocatalyzed ROP of epoxides. Trifluoroacetate, acting as the chain-transfer agent (CTA), brings about non-uniform growth of polyether chains while ensuring complete initiation efficiency and readily removable CTA residue. Triple control over Ð M (1.05–2.00), molar mass (3.6–17.7 kg mol−1), and end group is achieved simply by regulating the feed ratio, conforming well with the theoretical modeling. Experimental and calculation results reveal the orthogonality between chain growth and transesterification which is key to the three-modular ROP for independent Ð M control.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62028-x |
| spellingShingle | Yubo Zhou Junpeng Zhao Guangzhao Zhang Dispersity-controlled ring-opening polymerization of epoxide Nature Communications |
| title | Dispersity-controlled ring-opening polymerization of epoxide |
| title_full | Dispersity-controlled ring-opening polymerization of epoxide |
| title_fullStr | Dispersity-controlled ring-opening polymerization of epoxide |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dispersity-controlled ring-opening polymerization of epoxide |
| title_short | Dispersity-controlled ring-opening polymerization of epoxide |
| title_sort | dispersity controlled ring opening polymerization of epoxide |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62028-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yubozhou dispersitycontrolledringopeningpolymerizationofepoxide AT junpengzhao dispersitycontrolledringopeningpolymerizationofepoxide AT guangzhaozhang dispersitycontrolledringopeningpolymerizationofepoxide |