Synthesis and self-assembly of conjugated polymer precursors containing dichlorocarbonate groups by living ring-opening metathesis polymerization

We have used the living ring-opening metathesis polymerization reaction with Cl₂(PCy₃)₂-Ru=CHPh to generate a new class of conjugated polymer precursors containing the reactive group 1,2-dichlorocarbonate in their backbone. These polymers possess narrow molecular weight distributions and are easily processable. We have incorporated the 1,2-dichlorocarbonate monomers into block copolymers and have shown that these systems can self-assemble in selective solvents to generate spherical micellar aggregates (TEM). Mild hydrolytic treatment of these precursor polymers converts them into novel low-band-gap conjugated polymers and block copolymers containing 1,2-diol groups in their backbone.