Synthesis and Post-Polymerization Modification of Poly(N-(4-Vinylphenyl)Sulfonamide)s

Herein, a straightforward synthesis of a novel class of polymers, that is, poly(N-(4-vinylphenyl)sulfonamide)s, and their monomers is reported. A set of monomers with varying electron densities, fine-tuned by different substituents on the aromatic sulfonamide moiety, is polymerized by free radical polymerization featuring low molar masses (2300 ≤ M$_{n}$ ≤ 3200 g mol$^{-1}$) and low dispersities (1.15 ≤ Đ ≤ 1.47). Further, the post-polymerization modification of the obtained polymers via aza-Michael addition with electron-deficient alkenes is demonstrated using organic superbases as catalysts, paving the way toward the facile synthesis of novel polymeric protected β-amino acid derivatives.