Single Chain Folding of Synthetic Polymers by Covalent and Non-Covalent Interactions: Current Status and Future Perspectives

• Published in: Macromolecular rapid communications. Vol. 33; no. 11; pp. 958 - 971
• Main Authors: Altintas, Ozcan, Barner-Kowollik, Christopher
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 14.06.2012; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biomimetic Materials - chemistry; Chains (polymeric); Covalence; Exact sciences and technology; Folding; hydrogen driven bonding; intramolecular covalent bonds; Models, Chemical; modular ligation chemistry; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; natural biomacromolecule mimics; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; polymeric nanoparticles; Polymers; Polymers - chemistry; Properties and characterization; single chain self-folding; Structure, morphology and analysis; Intramolecular reaction; modular ligation chemistry; State of the art; intramolecular covalent bonds; polymeric nanoparticles; Nanoparticle; Refolding; natural biomacromolecule mimics; Polymer; Biological macromolecule; Chemical modification; hydrogen driven bonding; Biomimetics; single chain self-folding; Intramolecular hydrogen bond; Conformational transition
• ISSN: 1022-1336; 1521-3927; 1521-3927
• DOI: 10.1002/marc.201200049

The present feature article highlights the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles and initial attempts towards mimicking the structure of natural biomacromolecules by single chain folding of well‐defined linear polymers through covalent and non‐covalent interactions. Initially, the discussion focuses on the synthesis and characterization of single chain self‐folded structures by non‐covalent interactions. The second part of the article summarizes the folding of single chain polymers by means of covalent interactions into nanoparticle systems. The current state of the art in the field of single chain folding indicates that covalent‐bond‐driven nanoparticle preparation is well advanced, while the first encouraging steps towards building reversible single chain folding systems by the use of mutually orthogonal hydrogen‐bonding motifs have been made. The synthesis and characterization of polymeric nanoparticles and initial attempts towards mimicking the structure of natural biomacromolecules by single chain folding of well‐defined functional linear synthetic macromolecules are critically reviewed.