Additive-free clicking for polymer functionalization and coupling by tetrazine-norbornene chemistry

J Am Chem Soc. 2011 Sep 7;133(35):13828-31. doi: 10.1021/ja203957h. Epub 2011 Aug 11.

Abstract

Herein we report the use of a tetrazine-norbornene inverse electron demand Diels-Alder conjugation applied to polymer end-functionalization and polymer-polymer coupling. The reaction was found to be applicable to polymer-polymer coupling, as judged by SEC, DOSY NMR, and LCxSEC analyses, giving diblock copolymers by merely mixing the constituent homopolymers together under ambient conditions, using no catalyst, additive, or external stimulus.