PROPER SUBSTITUENTS KEY TO CREATING ALTERNATING SEQUENCE POLYMERS

摘要

Synthetic polymers with controlled monomer sequences and microstructures are highly desirable for their ability to create high-order structures that mimic biological macromolecules possessing unique functions and properties. Established methods for synthesizing lengthy, well-defined polymers typically involve the use of solid supports and laborious protection-deprotection steps. Now, Benjamin Elling and Yan Xia report a new method for the creation of polymers with precisely alternating sequence and high microstructure regularity without these time-intensive steps (DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b05497).