North Carolina Central University

Uddhav Balami

Darlene K Taylor

A styrene based water soluble polymer containing pendant sulfonated calix[4]arene groups has been synthesized by using free radical polymerization combined with post-polymerization sulfonation chemistry. The monomer 25-(4-vinylbenzyl)-26, 27, 28-hydroxy-calix[4]arene was prepared in 3 steps: (1) reduction of 4-vinyl benzoic acid to the respective alcohol (2) formation of the bromide by the Appel reaction and (3) synthesis of the respective ether by Williamson O-alkylation reaction with calix[4]arene. Polymerization was accomplished by azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiated free radical polymerization technique. Electro-responsive properties of the sulfonated polymer were studied wherein a response to electrochemical stimulus is observed when guest molecules of methyl viologen are incorporated with polymerized 25-(4-vinylbenzyl)-26, 27, 28-hydroxy-calix[4]arene.

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Durham, NC, United States of America

Uddhav Balami