Extremely rapid and versatile synthesis of high molecular weight step growth polymers via oxime click chemistry

Extremely rapid step growth polymerization was achieved using an oxime click chemistry approach. The highly efficient oxime reaction resulted in the synthesis of 35 kDa polymers within 5 minutes at 60 degrees C and 32 kDa polymers within 13 minutes at room temperature and, by altering the monomer ratio, polymers were synthesized with controlled end-group chemistry. Furthermore, the versatility of this chemistry was demonstrated by polymerisation of functional (bipyridine and boronic acid functional) monomers. The very rapid formation, extremely benign reaction conditions, functional group tolerance and high molecular weights obtained indicate the potential of oxime chemistry as a versatile tool for step-growth polymer synthesis.