An overview of synthetic modification of nitrile group in polymers and applications

Abstract

The physicochemical properties of polymers are mainly dependent on the nature of polymer backbone and/or pendant groups linked to the main chain. Therefore, synthetic modification of these functional groups via post functionalization is an important approach for obtaining novel polymeric systems with improved properties and targeted applications. In this context, the synthetic modifications of nitrile group in polymers into various useful functionalities have received considerable attention and several interesting applications of the resulting polymers have been identified. The majority of the studies are based on Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and some isolated examples of nitrile functionalization in copolymers such as Poly (Styrene-co-Acrylonitrile) (SAN), Poly (Acrylonitrile-co-Butadiene-co-Styrene (ABS) and Nitrile Rubber (NBR) are available. These synthetic modifications are mainly accomplished by the reactions such as Nucleophilic addition, cycloaddition, reduction, and hydrolysis using various reagents. These studies describing the post-polymerization modifications of nitrile group in polymers reported during the last three decades are covered in this review.

Cyclobenzoin Esters as Hosts for Thin Guests

“…However, switching to 1b and 1c as the hosts provided three co-crystals of sufficient quality for X-ray diffraction. Benzonitrile (6) cocrystallized with both 1b and 1c, while phenylacetylene (7) formed crystals just with 1c. In all these co-crystal structures, the aromatic guests were found to reside outside of the cavity of 1b/1c.…”

“…Recently, terminal alkynes have been undergoing a veritable renaissance of interest as medicinal chemistry motifs, 2 synthons for the preparation of oligoyne rotaxanes 3 and other mechanically interlocked molecues, 4 new allotropes of carbon, 5 and precursors in the now-ubiquitous Cu-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (click reaction). 6 Nitriles remain hugely important as polymerization precursors 7 and as functional motifs in medicinal chemistry. 8 Given the large relevance of nitriles and terminal alkynes in these many contexts, their supramolecular chemistry had been surprisingly underexplored.…”

Enzymatic and Chemical Approaches for Post‐Polymerization Modifications of Diene Rubbers: Current state and Perspectives

“…Concerning rubber materials, the main applications of enzymes are related to biodegradation processes [21,68] and functionalization of the macromolecular chains. [27,69]…”

“…Some enzymes able to functionalize nitriles were also included (Figure 2a). [27] Amid the plethora of chemical modifications, post polymerizations functionalization through click-chemistry have gained much attention recently due to mild conditions and the wide range of substrates that can be employed. [28] The click chemistry concept -rapid, simple, easy to handle and irreversible reactions that "click" two molecules together-was first introduced by Sharpless and coworkers in 2001.…”

Functional nanostructures by NiCCo-PISA of helical poly(aryl isocyanide) copolymers

“…Thus, PPM often reduces the number of synthetic steps required for material syntheses and provides precursor materials that can be modified with a wide variety of functional groups. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] For nanomaterials, reactive functionality provides a convenient and polyvalent means of introducing valuable moieties such as dyes, [16][17][18] catalysts or drugs. 19 PPM can also be employed to dynamically modify nanostructure properties, endowing such constructs with the capability to respond to environmental stimuli.…”