This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective
polymer materials. In particular, the invention relates to linear polycarbosilane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving
sorbent polymer materials, including chromatoghraphy, chemical
trapping,
analyte collection, and
chemical sensor applications. These polymers have pendant and terminal
aryl,
alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups that are functionalized with
halogen substituted
alcohol or
phenol groups, having the general structure: wherein n is an integer greater than 1; wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a linear or branched arm having at least one group independently selected from the group consisting of
alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and
aryl groups, or combinations thereof, and having at least one
halogen substituted
alcohol or
phenol groups attached thereto; wherein any said R1 and R2
aryl groups are attached to said [Si—X-]n either directly or through a short
hydrocarbon chain; wherein any remaining said R1 or R2 group is a
hydrocarbon or carbosilane group; wherein X is a
polymer component selected from the group consisting of alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene,
arylene groups, and combinations thereof; and wherein Z1 and Z2 are end groups independently selected from the group consisting of
alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, alkyl
silanes, aryl
silanes, hydroxyl,
silicon hydride, alkoxides,
phenols,
halogen substituted alcohols, halogen substituted
phenols, organosilyl, and combinations thereof. These polymeric materials are primarily designed to sorb
hydrogen bond basic analytes such as organophosphonate esters (nerve agents and precursors) and nitro-substituted compounds (explosives).