Block copolymers containing pyridine moieties: Precise synthesis and applications

This review highlights the precise synthesis and application of various well-defined rod–coil and coil–coil block copolymers composed of poly(2-(or 4-)vinylpyridine) (P2VP or P4VP) block(s) with pyridine moieties. These polymers were synthesized by means of living anionic polymerization. Poly(hexyl isocyanate) (PHIC) was used as the rod-like segment, because hexyl isocyanate undergoes living anionic polymerization under carefully selected conditions. This review describes the syntheses of the block copolymers, polystyrene- b-P2VP, polystyrene- b-P4VP, polyisoprene- b-P2VP, P2VP- b-poly(methyl methacrylate), P2VP- b-poly(ethylene oxide), P2VP- b-poly(2-( N-carbazolyl)ethyl methacrylate), P2VP- b-PHIC, P2VP- b-PHIC- b-P2VP, and PHIC- b-P2VP- b-PHIC. The formation of self-organized nanostructured materials and molecular assemblies by such block copolymers and their possible applications are also described. These assemblies include monolayers, microphase-separated periodic-ordered nanostructures, micelles, polymer–metal complexes, nanoparticles, inorganic and metal layers, and nanoporous films with nanoparticles.