Synthesis of Various Glycopolymer Architectures via RAFT Polymerization:  From Block Copolymers to Stars

• Published in: Biomacromolecules Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 232 - 238
• Main Authors: Bernard, Julien, Hao, Xiaojuan, Davis, Thomas P, Barner-Kowollik, Christopher, Stenzel, Martina H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.01.2006
• Subjects: Acrylamides - chemistry; Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Glycosylation; Molecular Structure; Molecular Weight; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymerization; Polymers - chemical synthesis; Polymers - chemistry; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Temperature; Linear copolymer; Organic trithiocarbonate; Living polymer; Acrylamide derivative copolymer; Experimental study; Acrylamide derivative polymer; Lateral group; Solution polymerization; Star copolymer; Free radical polymerization; Chain transfer; Aminoglycoside; Preparation; Diblock copolymer; Hydroxyethyl acrylate copolymer; Block copolymer
• ISSN: 1525-7797; 1526-4602
• DOI: 10.1021/bm0506086

Well-defined linear poly(acryloyl glucosamine) (PAGA) exhibiting molar masses ranging from 3 to 120 K and low polydispersities have been prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) in aqueous solution without recourse to protecting group chemistry. The livingness of the process was further demonstrated by successfully chain-extending one of these polymers with N-isopropylacrylamide affording narrow dispersed thermosensitive diblocks. This strategy of polymerization was finally extended to the preparation of glycopolymer stars from Z designed non-water-soluble trifunctional RAFT agent. After the growth of very short blocks of poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) ( n branch = 10), AGA was polymerized in aqueous solution in a controlled manner affording well-defined 3-arm glycopolymer stars.