Silylacetal
was demonstrated to function as a promising cleavable moiety for preparing
polymers degradable via desilylation under diverse, mild conditions.
The silylacetal moieties were installed in the main chain of the polymers
via the controlled cationic copolymerization of trimethylsilyl vinyl
ether (TMSVE) and a cyclic acetal under appropriately designed conditions.
Importantly, desilylation reactions of the silylacetal units occurred
under weak acid, base, or fluoride ion conditions, which triggered
the degradation of the polymer via the spontaneous cleavage of the
unstable hemiacetal moieties generated by the desilylation. Moreover,
silylacetal moieties were successfully incorporated at the desired
positions in the main chain via the addition of a small portion of
TMSVE during the controlled cationic copolymerization of a vinyl ether
and cyclic acetal. The strategy devised in this study will allow the
design of elaborate polymers that undergo degradation triggered by
various stimuli.
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