Novel polymer architectures: polyrotaxanes

Abstract

Although the synthesis of polymers with highly controlled molecular architectures has gained increased importance due to the rising demand for specialty polymers that possess novel properties, their physical characteristics are direct consequences of the size and constitution of the covalent structures of the polymer. Our program aims to prepare and characterize polymers, whose structures and properties are determined by non-covalent interactions. These novel polymer architectures are comprised of macrocycles threaded by linear macromolecules and are called polyrotaxanes. Polyrotaxanes are considered to be physical analogs of block or graft copolymers or molecular interpenetrating systems. The design and synthesis of the macrocyclic component, "blocking groups" to constrain the macrocycles and the polyrotaxane will be described.