2093
Mechanistic Studies on Photoredox-Mediated Organocatalyzed Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Thursday, 17 May 2018: 15:40
Room 616 (Washington State Convention Center)
A. J. Boydston (University of Washington)
We have been investigating the application of photoredox catalysis in organocatalyzed ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). This metal-free variant enables unique synthetic capabilities in comparison with traditional metal-mediated ROMP methods, and offers distinct mechanistic considerations. We will discuss our recent results related to the polymerization mechanism. Specific focus is placed upon potential rate-determining steps in propagation, methods for controlling relative rates of propagation versus initiation, and hypothesized irreversible termination events. As a redox-mediated polymerization, electron transfer is central to each step in the process.