TLClab

Sugar‐Based Alternating Copolymers via Photoinduced Radical Copolymerization of Levoglucosenone and Vinyl Ethers A family of 17 sugar-based alternating copolymers was synthesized via photoinduced radical copolymerization of naturally occurring levoglucosenone (LGO) and commercially available vinyl ethers. The r...

New paper out in @angewandtechemie.bsky.social!
We report sugar-based alternating copolymers via photoinduced radical copolymerization of levoglucosenone and vinyl ethers.
Congrats to Lianqian and @hongsik.bsky.social!🎉
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Selective Cascade Metathesis Polymerization of Dicycloalkenes and Their Chemical Recycling We report a highly selective CMP of dicycloalkenes using G2 catalysts, obtaining well-defined polymer structures with excellent cascade efficiency (>99%) and TON up to 3550. Sulfonamide-linked dicycl...

Thrilled to share our new paper on the selective cascade metathesis polymerization of dicycloalkenes and their chemical recycling! Big congrats to Yongkang, @hongsik.bsky.social, and the whole team! 👏
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

2H Quadrupolar Coupling Constant: A Spectroscopic Ruler for Transition Metal–Hydride Bond Distances in Molecular and Surface Sites Transition metal hydrides (TMHs) find numerous applications across fields from catalysis to H2 storage. Yet, determining the structure of TMHs can remain a challenge, as hydrogen is difficult to detec...

In this work we show how solid-state deuterium NMR can be used to gauge metal-hydride distances in molecular and surface sites, where neutron diffraction techniques are challenging! You find our work in @jacs.acspublications.org
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Congrats!!!

Click To Stack: Shape-Assisted Self-Assembly of Unflattened Macrocycles into Waveguiding Elastic Crystals Designing molecular crystals for practical applications requires precise control over intermolecular interactions. We report a click-to-stack strategy to enable facile construction and systematic structural modification of tetraarene-fused cyclooctatetraenes. These saddle-shaped molecules self-assemble into one-dimensional columns with exceptional precision, driven solely by weak van der Waals interactions. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic and computational studies revealed fully eclipsed π–π stacking, reinforced by the shape complementarity of the negatively curved molecular contour. With alkoxy groups tethered, the antiparallel alignment of coaxial cable-like assemblies produces centimeter-long voidless crystals that exhibit remarkable structural durability under mechanical stress. These glow stick-like elastic crystalline rods display optical waveguiding properties, demonstrating the practical utility of highly anisotropic molecular assemblies with structural uniformity and resilience.

!!! Just out in @jacs.acspublications.org !
We made flexible, saddle-shaped COTs via double SPAAC.
They stack perfectly (SASA), bend elastically thanks to adaptive curvature + alkoxy chains,
and guide light through cm-long crystals.
Final PhD project — and my favorite.
📄 pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Come and be our colleague! The Polymer Chemistry Group
@tlclab.bsky.social @ethzurich.bsky.social has few PhD openings in polymer synthesis!🧪
Apply now 👉 jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...

Thrilled to be selected as an ACS PMSE Future Faculty Scholar! Grateful for the recognition and excited to connect with the polymer community at #ACSFall2025. See you all in Washington, DC!

Controlled polymerization of levoglucosenone-derived enynes to give bio-based polymers with tunable degradation rates and high glass transition temperatures In recent years, pollution from plastic waste has intensified the demand for sustainable polymers. Hence, biomass-derived degradable polymers offer a promising solution. For example, levoglucosenone, ...

🚨New paper out now in @chemicalscience.rsc.org! Living metathesis polymerization of a levoglucosenone-derived enyne monomer — with tunable degradation rates & Tg via structural design. Big congrats to @eunsongjung.bsky.social, Dr. Antonio Rizzo, and all co-authors!🎉
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Our first joint group meeting with Prof. Jan Vermant’s group!
Had a great time learning about each other's research — and the Belgian beer after-party was amazing 🍻Big thanks to the Jan group for hosting, and to @peng-liu.bsky.social, @hongsik.bsky.social, Tazio, and Vincenzo for the great talks!

Come and be my colleague!
The Polymer Chemistry Group @tlclab.bsky.social @ethzurich.bsky.social
has few PhD openings in polymer synthesis! 🧪✨
Apply now 👉https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_ruH8JIsezpmENGkxEH #PhD #PolymerChemistry #ETHZurich

Low-Temperature Direct Arylation Polymerization for the Sustainable Synthesis of a Library of Low-Defect Donor–Acceptor Conjugated Polymers via Pd/Ag Dual-Catalysis Donor–acceptor alternating conjugated polymers (D–A CPs) are one of the best materials for high-performance organic electronic devices, owing to their low bandgap and high charge carrier mobility. How...

New paper out in @jacs.acspublications.org !
In collab with Prof. Byoung Hoon Lee's group, we report a versatile & sustainable Pd/Ag dual-catalytic DArP at low temperatures, yielding low-defect D-A CPs. Big congrats to Hwangseok Kim, @gimongkim, Junmo Park, and teams!
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Degradable Alternating Copolymers from Living Radical Copolymerization of Natural Levoglucosenone and Dienes Here, we present an efficient synthetic route to biobased alternating copolymers via the living radical copolymerization of naturally occurring levoglucosenone (LGO) and dienes. By employing reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, well-defined LGO-derived copolymers were readily synthesized featuring high degrees of alternation, well-controlled molecular weights, and excellent end-group fidelity. Additionally, the alternating copolymers exhibited thermal and mechanical properties comparable to those of the commodity polystyrene. Furthermore, an on-demand metathesis degradation was identified, highlighting their potential as degradable materials.

Check out @tlclab.bsky.social's new article in @jacs.acspublications.org! Synthesis of degradable alternating copolymers from natural levoglucosenone and dienes. Congrats Lianqian, @hongsik.bsky.social, and team!
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

We are so proud of Prof. Tae-Lim Choi who got a 2024 Arthur K. Doolittle award at #ACSSpring2025! Congrats🎉 Also, happy to see our alumni Prof. In-Hwan Lee and Prof. Hyunseok Kim😀

Synthesis of Linear and Cyclic Poly(allenamer)s by Powerful Cyclic–Alkyl–Amino–Carbene (CAAC) Ruthenium Catalysts and Facile Post‐modification We synthesized linear/cyclic poly(allenamer)s (PAs) from cycloallenes by CAAC-Ru catalysts. Mechanism studies suggested CAAC ligands enhanced the stability of propagating Ru vinylidene, producing var...

New @angewandtechemie.bsky.social paper out now!
Excited to share our work in collaboration with Prof. @eunsunglee.bsky.social group. Synthesis of linear and cyclic poly(allenamer)s via ROMP and REMP using efficient CAAC Ru catalysts. Congrats Yongkang, and teams!
doi.org/10.1002/anie...

Air and Thermally Stable Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene Ruthenium Complexes for Efficient Ring Expansion Metathesis Polymerization Ring expansion metathesis polymerization (REMP) has emerged as a potent strategy for obtaining cyclic polymers over the past two decades. The scope of monomers, however, remains limited due to the poo...

Excited to share our work (@eunsunglee.bsky.social) in collaboration with Prof. Tae-Lim Choi's group! Air-stable ruthenium catalysts with tethered CAAC ligands for REMP. A heartfelt thank you to the reviewers and editor for their invaluable advice! doi.org/10.1021/jacs...