Synthesis of Networked Polymers by Visible Light-Driven Reductive Coupling of Triimine

Abstract

This paper describes a new synthetic approach to networked polyamines based on a reductive coupling system of imines that proceeds under irradiation of visible light. The monomer used herein was a triamine synthesized by condensation of benzaldehyde and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine. As a photoredox catalyst, perylene, a simple aromatic hydrocarbon, was used. Upon irradiation of visible light using a white LED, perylene was excited and then was reduced by N,N-diisopropylethylamine added as an electron donor, and the resulting anion radical of perylene reduced the imino functions of the triamine. The reduced imino functions efficiently underwent the radical coupling to form the carbon－carbon bond, leading to the formation of the corresponding networked polymer under mild conditions.