Development of Structurally Ordered Polymers via Oxidative Cross-coupling Polymerization

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H03063
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Polymer chemistry
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Kanbara Takaki 筑波大学, 数理物質系, 教授 (90204809)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 高分子合成 / 有機金属化学 / クロスカップリング反応 / 高分子半導体 / 構造制御

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Polycondensation based on direct C-H/C-H cross coupling reaction between two kinds of aromatic monomers allows straightforward access to alternating π-conjugated polymers. While the synthetic protocol can get rid of prefunctionalization of starting monomers, it is necessary to control the selectivity of successive C-H metalation steps and suppress undesired homocoupling reactions. To conduct the polycondensation reaction efficiently, we focused on the Pd-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction of polyfluoroarenes with thiophene derivatives. The reaction produced the corresponding donor-acceptor π-conjugated polymers with minor homocoupling defects. The reaction also proceeded using O2 as the terminal oxidant, resulting in lower loading of oxidant. Therefore, the synthetic methodology provides a promising tool for the synthesis of π-conjugated polymers with good atom and step economy.

Free Research Field

高分子化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

有機薄膜太陽電池や有機EL素子などの有機電子光デバイスは、ウェアラブル端末開発やエネルギー問題解決の一翼を担うべく、精力的な研究開発が進められている。これらのデバイスを社会に普及させるためには、実用化を視野に入れた製造技術の検討が必要とされる。本研究の合成技術は合成工程数を減らすとともに、副生成物の低毒化や精製処理の軽減化が可能となることから、簡便で環境に優しい高分子半導体の合成技術として産業界並びに社会に大きく貢献しうる。