Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of Functional Polymers with Multisubstituted Small Heterocycles by Facile Stereoselective Multicomponent Polymerizations

Multicomponent polymerization (MCP) has received world-wide attention as a powerful synthetic strategy toward various polymers with complex structures. However, few studies have been reported to fully utilize the monomer combination diversity of MCPs to facilitate the synthesis of diversified polymers with novel structures and advanced functionalities. Herein, we reported a facile multicomponent polymerization route based on the diversity-oriented synthesis. Using varying combinations of difunctionalizable alkynes, sulfonyl azides and Schiff bases, diverse functional polymers with multisubstituted small heterocycles were successfully produced. High stereoselectivity was observed on specific polymeric products. The obtained azetidine-derivative heterocycles exhibit high stability even after treatment with extra HCl and KOH for 48 h. Additionally, polymers with tetraphenylethylene moieties show strong aggregation-induced emission and can function as promising chemosensors for detecting Pd2+ and Cr2O72-. The facile MCP routes present could bring new inspiration to polymer chemistry, and the fascinating functionalities of the obtained polymers with stable four-membered heterocycles could promote further research on the design, modification, and applications of diversified functional polymer materials.