Organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a versatile method for synthesizing well-defined polymers, however, precision synthesis of polysiloxanes remains challenging due to a mismatch in polarity between initiators, monomers, and polymers and the formation of scrambling products. Here, the authors describe a binary organocatalytic ROP of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane employing organic bases as catalysts and (thio)urea as cocatalysts, achieving solubilization of multifunctional silanol initiators and 90% monomer conversion.
- Hiroshi Okamoto
- Atsushi Sogabe
- Satoshi Honda