A Biodegradable, Polymer-Supported Oxygen Atom Transfer Reagent

Biodegradable polymers are desirable to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste in the environment. Over the past several decades, the development of organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization (OROP) has made the synthesis of many new types of biodegradable polymers possible. In this research article, the first example of an oxygen atom transfer reagent pendant on a biodegradable polymer backbone is reported. The monomers for the polycarbonate backbone are sourced from the biodegradable 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid molecule, and an iodoaryl group is installed pendant to the cyclic monomer for post-polymerization modification into an iodosylaryl oxygen atom transfer reagent. The key I-O bond is characterized by XPS spectroscopy, and a test reaction to triphenylphosphine demonstrates the ability of the polymer to engage in an oxygen atom transfer reaction with a substrate.

Automated summary

Biodegradable polymers are important for reducing the impact of plastic waste on the environment. The development of organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization has enabled the synthesis of new types of biodegradable polymers. This research article presents the first example of an oxygen atom transfer reagent attached to a biodegradable polymer backbone. The polymer demonstrates the ability to engage in an oxygen atom transfer reaction with a substrate.