Weakly Coordinating Amphiphilic Organoborate Block Copolymers

Selective functionalization of polystyrene with weakly coordinating organoborate functionalities BAr4- (Ar = Ph, C6F5) has been accomplished by a polymer modification strategy The first examples of perfluoroarylborate block copolymers have been prepared; light scattering and TEEM studies confirm the Formation of reverse micelles, in which the weakly coordinating anion sites are covered by a shell of 'inert polystyrene. The core of the micelles was successfully loaded with a cationic rhodium complex.