Multiple Segmental Processes in Polymers with cis and trans Stereoregular Configurations

ACS Macro Lett. 2018 Jan 16;7(1):11-15. doi: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.7b00800. Epub 2017 Dec 14.

Abstract

Altering the stereochemistry of a single double bond in the side group of a polymer resulted in systems with unprecedented local dynamics. These include (i) the appearance of three segmental processes in the cis-polymers all with Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) temperature dependence, (ii) the low steepness index associated with fragility, m, and (iii) the lowest pressure coefficient of Tg, dTg/dP, ever reported for polymers. We show that it is the inability of the cis-polymer to pack the side groups efficiently that controls the dynamics. Furthermore, the trans-polymers have the ability to crystallize. The wealth of dynamics reflects the cis/trans stereochemistry and the presence of different dipoles at specific positions sampling both the side group and backbone dynamics.