Background

Ring opening metathesis polymerization is a technique which enables the synthesis of materials of diverse architecture owing to its tolerance to a large range of functionalities. Traditionally, the scope of monomers used yields polymers with all carbon backbones and the display of single or random functionality. This techniques allows facile synthesis of polymers with readily degradable backbones and specific positioning of functional groups.

Technology

Inventors at Stony Brook University (SBU) have developed a robust technique for synthesizing long polymer chains whereby comonomers are alternately placed in the polymer chain. This technology provides a handle to easily place a comonomer unit with functionality. Moreover, the backbone can be cleaved at specific sites through the use of selective incorporation of a cleavable B monomer. The advantages of this invention: 1) fully degradable polymers displaying functional moieties, 2) site-specific incorporation of cleavable comonomer., 3) sequence-specific display of multiple functionalities. For example, polymers with acid labile backbones are attractive because of their use as photoresist in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. With large ring AROMP, the team are able to synthesize pH sensitive polymers.

Advantages

- Technique allows for easy synthesis of polymers - Readily degradable polymers - Polymers have potential application in lithographic patterning - Technology allows for a myriad of functionalities to be incorporated into polymer backbone

Application

- Material science - Electronics - Energy and information storage - Biomedical (drug delivery)