The
focus of studies performed so far on the formation of surface-attached
polymer networks by C,H insertion cross-linking (CHic) reaction has
been largely on photochemical activation. This study describes the
thermal activation of the formation of (surface-attached) polymer
networks under comparably mild conditions. A novel cross-linker, based
on a diazo phenyl ester group, is incorporated into various copolymers,
which are subsequently deposited on solid substrates. Upon activation,
the cross-linker moieties generate carbene intermediates, which lead
to rapid, complete cross-linking of the whole film and simultaneous
surface attachment to various organic materials via CHic. Although
this system requires only comparably mild conditions (i.e., below
100 °C) to become activated, a long shelf life at room temperature
is observed. The presented system might be useful in a wide range
of applications, from coatings to rather complex geometries. We demonstrate
the covalent binding of protein-repellent thin films to the inner
surface of (rubber) tubes and the generation of patterned structures
by a “branding iron” approach. For this a hot structure
is pressed onto a diazo polymer coated surface, leading in the contact
zone to fast cross-linking while in all other areas the polymer remains
soluble and is washed off during subsequent extraction.