Polyphosphinoborane Block Copolymer Synthesis Using Catalytic Reversible Chain-Transfer Dehydropolymerization

An amphiphilic block copolymer of polyphos-phinoborane has been prepared by a mechanism-led strategy of the sequential catalytic dehydropolymerization of precursor monomers, H3B.PRH2 (R =Ph, n-hexyl), using the simple pre-catalyst [Rh-(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)(2)]Cl. Speciation, mechanism and polymer chain growth studies support a step-growth process where reversible chain transfer occurs, i.e. H3B.PRH2/oligomer/polymer can all coordinate with, and be activated by, the catalyst. Block copolymer [H2BPPhH](110)-b-[H2BP(n-hexyl)H](11) can be synthesized and self-assembles in solution to form either rod-like micelles or vesicles depending on solvent polarity.

Automated summary

An amphiphilic block copolymer of polyphos-phinoborane has been synthesized using a mechanism-led strategy and its self-assembly behavior has been studied.