Poly(carboxypyrrole)s That Depolymerize from Head to Tail in the Solid State in Response to Specific Applied Signals

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-20-2020

Abstract

This Article describes the design, synthesis, and analysis of a new class of polymer that is capable of depolymerizing continuously, completely, and cleanly from head to tail when a detection unit on the head of the polymer is exposed to a specific applied signal. The backbone of this polymer consists of 1,3-disubstituted pyrroles and carboxy linkages similar to polyurethanes. Diverse side chains or reactive end-groups can be introduced readily, which provides modular design of polymer structure. The designed depolymerization mechanism proceeds through spontaneous release of carbon dioxide and azafulvene in response to a single triggering reaction with the detection unit. These poly(carboxypyrrole)s depolymerize readily in nonpolar environments, and even in the bulk as solid-state plastics.

Copyright Statement

This is an open access article published under an ACS AuthorChoice License, which permits copying and redistribution of the article or any adaptations for non-commercial purposes. This document was originally published in Journal of the American Chemical Society by the American Chemical Society. Copyright restrictions may apply. doi: 10.1021/jacs.0c02774

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