Synthesis and chiral expression of conjugated block and gradient copolymers

In this research project, conjugated multiblock copolymers and gradient copolymers will be synthesized. Afterwards the chiral expression in these multiblock copolymers and conjugated gradient copolymers will be investigated. Concerning the synthesis of the multiblock copolymers a well-know procedure (KCTCP) will be used. However, for the synthesis of the gradient copolymers, a completely new synthetic approach will be developed. This new approach involves the copolymerization of two monomers with different metallic functions, which should allow to tune the gradient of the gradient copolymer. Furthermore, a new type of conjugated polymer architecture will be synthesized: a block copolymer consisting of two homopolymer blocks connected by a gradient copolymer, which provides a smooth rather than abrupt transition between the two blocks. The chiral expression in the synthesized conjugated block copolymers and gradient copolymers will be investigated with multiple techniques, such as circular dichroism and scanning tunnelling microscopy. We aim to demonstrate a totally new principle concerning the chiral expression in the synthesized conjugated block and gradient copolymers: the general-and-sergeant principle. Furthermore, the chiral expression of multiblock copolymers will be thoroughly investigated by setting up a model for the chiral self-assembly of diblock copolymers during a stay with Professor Kazuyuki Ishii (University of Tokyo).