Specialists Karlsruhe Institute of Technology for the first time to use light to create a specific molecular chains. The team was able to successfully manage the receipt of precision polymer by means of light-induced chemical reactions. The new method allows to precisely specify the location of the units (monomers) along the polymer chains of a given length. The resulting macromolecules can be used as a data storage capacity or for biomaterials. This work was described in Nature Communications.
The reaction is started at room temperature by light. Researchers have used this effect is to connect a particular polymer molecule. “The polymer chains of varying lengths are in many everyday processes. Building blocks are placed along them in a random order, – explained Professor Christopher Barner-Kovollik. – We wanted to develop a method for structuring the light-induced polymer, the accuracy of which will correspond to the natural. ” The proposed synthesis achieves this by placing items on the desired position. “By controlling the structure, we can control the properties of macromolecules – Barner-Kovollik said. – Polymers with desired sequences can be used to store information, as in DNA. ” The authors believe that the developed method will become a tool for chemists, biologists and materials scientists, as well as the key to the future of Macromolecular Chemistry.