A Versatile New Monomer Family: Functionalized 4-Vinyl-1,2,3-Triazoles via Click Chemistry

The field of polymer science has undergone a renaissance in recent years as the ability to design, construct, and functionalize macromolecules to fit targeted applications develops.1 While these applications are diverse, the majority of the polymer structures are based on polymerization or functionalization of vinyl monomers derived from a limited range of families.2 Classic examples include the extensively studied and widely used styrenic, acrylate, or R-olefin-based monomer systems. The development of a new vinyl monomer family that combines the attractive features of thermal and chemical stability, yet having functional handles for compo-sitional versatility, would represent a significant advance in the area of functionalized materials. Key considerations in the design of a novel type of vinyl monomer include the synthetic accessibility of the basic monomer unit and its ease of functionalization. Recently, the advantages o