Hongsik Kim

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....

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 stru...

Stacking flexible, saddle-shaped COTs pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/... #PiSky

This week's Chemical Science Pick of the Week is "Mutually antagonistic molecular clips: symmetry breaking non-covalent bonds at the chiral–nonchiral interface" by Dongwhan Lee et al. from Seoul National University, South Korea.

Read here for free: doi.org/10.1039/D4SC...

#ChemSky 🧪 #ChemSci

Thank you!!

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/...

Amazing work! Congrats @eunsongjung.bsky.social !!

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/...

Miniature Li+ solvation by symmetric molecular design for practical and safe Li-metal batteries - Nature Energy Developing safe, fast-recharging Li-metal batteries is challenging due to the need for stable, non-flammable electrolytes. This study presents an electrolyte design using miniature anion–Li+ solvation...

New electrolyte design breakthrough by collarborative work by Yuzhang Li (UCLA) & Jiheong Kang (Chemistry at SNU): Created miniature anion-Li+ solvation structures using symmetric organic salts for Li-metal batteries. A viable path to safe, fast-charging LMBs. #BatteryTech doi.org/10.1038/s415...

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😀