Redox-Induced Polymerisation/Depolymerisation of Metallo-Supramolecular Polymers

Authors

Adriane K. Miller, Case Western Reserve University
Zheng Li, Case Western Reserve University
Kiril A. Streletzky, Cleveland State UniversityFollow
Alexander M. Jamieson, Case Western Reserve UniversityFollow
Stuart J. Rowan, Case Western Reserve UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-7-2012

Publication Title

Polymer Chemistry

Abstract

Redox-responsive metallo-supramolecular polymers (MSPs), consisting of a ditopic ligand end-capped poly(tetrahydrofuran) (pTHF) macromonomer self-assembled with copper ions, have been developed where the degree of polymerization of the MSP, and therefore the viscosity of its solutions, depends on the oxidation state of the copper ion. We use a combination of UV-Vis, viscosity, light scattering, cyclic voltammetry and SAXS to show that the ligands, 2,6-bis(N-methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine (MeBip), at the ends of the pTHF, bind copper(II) in a 2:1 ratio and copper(I) in a 2:2 ratio in solution. Thus at fixed 1:1 or 1:2 stoichiometry of macromonomer to copper ions the viscosity of their solutions shows dramatic changes in response to addition of a chemical oxidant (nitroso tetrafluoroborate) or reductant (aqueous ascorbic acid).

Repository Citation

Miller, Adriane K.; Li, Zheng; Streletzky, Kiril A.; Jamieson, Alexander M.; and Rowan, Stuart J., "Redox-Induced Polymerisation/Depolymerisation of Metallo-Supramolecular Polymers" (2012). Physics Faculty Publications. 334.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/sciphysics_facpub/334

DOI

10.1039/C2PY20307C

Volume

3

Issue

11