Fluoride‐Catalyzed Deblocking: A Route to Polymeric Urethanes

Abstract

We report a fluoride-catalyzed deblocking of urethanes as "blocked" isocyanates. Organic and inorganic sources of fluoride ion proved effective for deblocking urethanes and for converting polyurethanes to small molecules. Distinct from conventional deblocking chemistry involving organometallic compounds and high temperatures, the method we describe is metal-free and operates at or slightly above room temperature. The use of fluorescent blocking agents enabled visual and spectroscopic monitoring of blocking/deblocking reactions, and the selected conditions proved applicable to urethanes containing a variety of blocking groups. The method additionally enabled a one pot deblocking and polymerization with α,ω-diols. Overall, this deblocking/polymerization strategy offers a convenient and efficient solution to problems that have limited the breadth of applications of polyurethane chemistry.