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Polymer synthesis

Making the gradient

A catalyst has been developed that enables poly(propylene carbonate) chains to be made in which the configuration of the repeat units changes gradually from exclusively S at one end of the chain to exclusively R at the other. The improved physical properties of this 'stereogradient' polymer may help its adoption as an environmentally friendly material.

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Figure 1: Preparation of stereogradient poly(propylene carbonate).

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Correspondence to Bun Yeoul Lee.

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Lee, B., Cyriac, A. Making the gradient. Nature Chem 3, 505–507 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1081

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