Well-defined networks with precisely located cleavable sites: Structure optimization and core functionality determination

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the core functionality of well-defined covalent polymer networks with precisely located cleavable sites. Covalent polymer networks consists of chemically interconnected polymer chains that are insoluble in all solvents. The core functionality of these networks includes, the elastic chain length and the composition. The study used a cleavable bifunctional initiator for network synthesis and the incorporation of initiator in the middle of the polymer chain. The study found that the cleavage of the initiator in the network can convert them to carboxylic acid end-functional star polymers. The degradable linear polymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) were synthesized by ground transfer polymerization (GTP) to test the tetraacetal initiator for polymerization and hydrolysis.