Boron functionalization of polystyrene: From luminescent materials to block-copolymer nanostructures

POLY 228

Frieder Jaekle, fjaekle@andromeda.rutgers.edu, Yang Qin, Kshitij Parab, and Chengzhong Cui. Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University-Newark, 73 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07102
This presentation will focus on our recent research on boron-containing organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Apart from their more traditional uses as supported catalysts and reagents, organoboron polymers are of considerable interest as intermediates in the synthesis of functionalized polymers with polar side-groups, polymeric electrolytes for batteries, flame retardants, preceramic materials, photo- and electroluminescent materials, and as sensors for nucleophiles. We have introduced several new methods for the preparation of well-defined boron-functionalized styrene polymers. The use of controlled polymerization methods allows for preparation of well-defined homopolymers, block copolymers, and telechelic polymers. Substitution of boron with suitable functional groups provides a new entry for the preparation of luminescent polymers with potential applications as optoelectronic device materials. Moreover, amphiphilic boron-containing block copolymers are readily accessible through simple post modification procedures. The solution self-assembly of these novel polymers will be discussed.