Natural biopolymers, such as peptides and nucleic acids, have a precise monomer sequence and stereochemistry along the polymer chain that affords unique biological functions such as molecular recognition (RGD tripeptide), catalysis (enzyme) and data storage (DNA). To reproduce these structurally perfect polymers and understand the mechanism of specific functions through chemical approaches, researchers have proposed using synthetic polymers as an alternative due to their broad chemical diversity and relatively simple manipulation. However, both monomer sequence and stereo-control to mimic the structural precision is still a great challenge. Various approaches to control the monomer sequence or stereoregularity in synthetic polymers have been proposed by researchers from biological and chemical communities. In this talk, we will discuss a recently developed methodology to prepare sequence-controlled and stereospecific oligomers using alternating radical chain growth and sequential photoinduced RAFT single unit monomer insertion (Photo-RAFT SUMI), similar as solid-phase peptide synthesis but producing a full-carbon backbone. This methodology provides a synthesis tool for the assembly of advanced polymer materials for diverse applications.

A/Prof. Jiangtao Xu (徐江涛) is an Associate Professor at the School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney. His research group in the Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD) and Australian Centre for NanoMedicine (ACN) has the focus on green and precision polymer synthesis and polymer hydrogels. Dr. Xu received his BS and PhD Degrees in Polymer Science from Fudan University. He was awarded ARC Future Fellowship and took a Lecturer position in 2017. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2019 and Associate Professor in 2022. He has more than 150 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact, attracting >14,000 citations and an H-index of 65. His areas of research interests are green chemistry and sustainable polymer synthesis, precision polymer synthesis, polymer hydrogel materials for wearable and soft electronics.