Synthesis,Characterization, and thermoresponsive properties of Helical Polypeptides Derivatized from Poly(γ−4‐(3‐chloropropoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐L‐glutamate)

A series of side‐chain‐functionalized α‐helical polypeptides, i.e., poly(γ‐4‐(3‐chloropropoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐_L‐glutamate) (6) have been prepared from n‐butylamine initiated ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of γ‐4‐(3‐chloropropoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐_L‐glutamic acid‐based N‐carboxyanhydride. Polypeptides bearing oligo‐ethylene‐glycol (OEG) groups or 1‐butylimidazolium salts were prepared from 6 via copper‐mediated [2+3] alkyne‐azide 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition or nuleophilic substitution, respectively. CD and FTIR analysis revealed that the polymers adopt α‐helical conformations both in solution and the solid state. Polymers bearing OEG (m = 3) side‐chains showed reversible LCST‐type phase transition behaviors in water while polymers bearing 1‐butylimidazolium and I^? counter‐anions exhibited reversible UCST‐type transitions in water. Variable‐temperature UV‐vis analysis revealed that the phase transition temperatures (T_pts) were dependent on the main‐chain length and polymeric concentration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2469–2480     

Synthesis and characterization of phosphonate‐containing polysiloxanes

Phosphonate‐functionalized polysiloxanes have been prepared with a new siloxane/phosphonate monomer. The reaction of 3‐chloropropylmethyldimethoxysilane with trimethylphosphite or triethylphosphite produces several new monomers containing pendant phosphonate groups. Copolymerization with dimethyldimethoxysilane has produced polymers soluble in most organic solvents. The acid hydrolysis of the phosphoryl esters has produced hydrophilic siloxane polymers containing phosphonic acid groups. The thermal properties of the polymers and several related small molecules have been compared with thermogravimetric analysis. Both the monomers and the resulting polymers have been characterized with ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, and ²⁹Si NMR. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 48–59, 2003     

Investigation of catalyst‐transfer condensation polymerization for synthesis of poly(p‐phenylenevinylene)

Kumada‐Tamao coupling polymerization of 1,4‐dialkoxy‐2‐bromo‐5‐(2‐chloromagnesiovinyl)benzene ( 1 ) and 1,4‐dialkoxy‐2‐(2‐bromovinyl)‐5‐chloromagnesiobenzene ( 2 ) with a Ni catalyst and Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling polymerization of 2‐{2‐[(2,5‐dialkoxy‐4‐iodophenyl)]vinyl}‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolane ( 3 ), its bromo counterpart 4 , and 2,5‐dialkoxy‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)phenylboronic acid ( 5 ) with a Pd initiator were investigated under catalyst‐transfer condensation polymerization conditions for the synthesis of well‐defined poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) (PPV). The Kumada‐Tamao polymerization of vinyl Grignard‐type monomer 1 with Ni(dppp)Cl₂ at room temperature did not proceed, whereas aryl Grignard‐type monomer 2 afforded oligomers of low molecular weight. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectra of the polymer obtained from 2 implied that the Grignard end group reacted with tetrahydrofuran to terminate polymerization. On the other hand, Suzuki‐Miyaura polymerization of vinyl boronic acid ester type monomers 3 and 4 and phenylboronic acid type monomer 5 with a Pd initiator and aqueous KOH at ?20 °C to room temperature yielded the corresponding PPV with high molecular weight within a few minutes. However, the molecular weight distribution was broad, and MALDI‐TOF mass spectra showed the peaks of polymers bearing no initiator unit at the chain end, as well as those of polymers with the initiator unit. These results indicated that intermolecular chain transfer of the Pd catalyst occurred. Dehalogenation and disproportionation of the growing end also took place as side reactions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2643‐2653     

Structure‐property relationships in densely grafted π‐stacked polymers

Three methyl end‐capped oligo(ethylene glycol) (MOEG) ethers ( 1b‐d ) and a methoxyderivative ( 1a ) of benzofulvene monomer BF3k were synthesized and induced to polymerize spontaneously by solvent removal to obtain soluble π‐stacked polymers bearing densely grafted MOEG side chains (poly‐ 1b – d ) and model polymer poly‐ 1a. The physicochemical features (e.g., solubility, NMR, MALDI‐TOF, and absorption/emission spectra, as well as MWD, conformation plot, and thermal properties) of the synthesized polymers were compared in a structure‐property relationship study. This approach afforded the following evidence. The structure of poly‐ 1a – d is very similar to that of BF3k , suggesting that the polymerization mechanism is not affected by the presence of the electron‐rich methoxy group or bulkier MOEG side chains. However, the latter appear to be capable of affecting the conformational behavior of the polymer backbone. The solubility of poly‐ 1a – d depends on the number of the oligo(ethylene glycol) monomeric units. In particular, poly‐ 1d , featuring a long MOEG side chain (n = 9), shows an amphiphilic character and is soluble in a number of organic solvents, whereas it interacts with water to give isolated macromolecules in equilibrium with nanosized water‐soluble aggregates. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2446–2461, 2010     

Synthesis and UCST‐type phase behavior of OEGylated poly(γ‐benzyl‐l‐glutamate) in organic media

A series of OEGylated poly(γ‐benzyl‐l ‐glutamate) with different oligo‐ethylene‐glycol side‐chain length, molecular weight (MW = 8.4 × 10³ to 13.5 × 10⁴) and narrow molecular weight distribution (PDI = 1.12–1.19) can be readily prepared from triethylamine initiated ring‐opening polymerization of OEGylated γ‐benzyl‐l ‐glutamic acid based N‐carboxyanhydride. FTIR analysis revealed that the polymers adopted α‐helical conformation in the solid‐state. While they showed poor solubility in water, they exhibited a reversible upper critical solution temperature (UCST)‐type phase behavior in various alcoholic organic solvents (i.e., methanol, ethanol, 1‐propanol, 1‐butanol, 1‐pentanol, and isopropanol). Variable‐temperature UV–vis analysis revealed that the UCST‐type transition temperatures (T_pts) of the resulting polymers were highly dependent on the type of solvent, polymer concentration, side‐ and main‐chain length. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1348‐1356     

Hydrogels based on schiff base formation between an amino‐containing polyphosphazene and aldehyde functionalized‐dextrans

Hydrogels generated by the interaction of two different water‐soluble polymers offer access to a new group of soft materials. A prototype amino‐functionalized polyphosphazene with both tyramine and ferulic acid‐based side groups was coupled to aldehyde functionalized‐dextrans to form hydrogels crosslinked via Schiff base chemistry. Synthesis of the polyphosphazene was accomplished by macromolecular substitution and protection‐deprotection chemistry, with characterization by ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, solid state ¹³C NMR, and DSC techniques. Combination of the aqueous polyphosphazene and aldehyde functionalized‐dextran solutions at room temperature caused gelation with different gelation times and crosslink densities dependent on the aldehyde content of the dextran. The hydrogel properties were evaluated using rheology, thermal characterization, and cryo‐microscopy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2984–2991     

Synthesis and properties of photoluminescent polymers bearing electron‐facilitating oxadiazole derivative side groups

Poly(p‐divinylene phenylene) derivatives bearing fluorene and carbazole units in the main chain and 5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole moieties as side groups were prepared by the polycondensation of a newly synthesized monomer, [2‐(5′‐phenyl‐1′,3′,4′‐oxadiazole‐2′‐yl)‐1,4‐xylylene]bis(triphenyl phosphonium bromide) (OXAD), with 9,9‐dibutylfluorene‐2,2′‐dicarbaldehyde (DBFDA) and 9‐(2‐ethylhexyl)carbazole‐3,6‐dicarbaldehyde (EHCDA), which gave DBFDA–OXAD and EHCDA–OXAD. Analogues of these polymers without the side groups were also synthesized by the reaction of 1,4‐xylene bis(triphenyl phosphonium bromide) (PXYL) with the dicarbaldehydes, which gave DBFDA–PXYL and EHCDA–PXYL. All the synthesized polymers are soluble in organic solvents, giving films of good quality. The polymers are stable beyond 375 °C. They emit blue and blue‐green light, and their quantum yields are 38–79% in solution and 1–24% in film, depending on the fluorene and carbazole units as well as the side groups. In particular, the OXAD‐based polymers contain hole‐facilitating backbones and electron‐facilitating side groups, perhaps allowing these polymers to transport both holes and electrons. Overall, the synthesized polymers are potential candidates for the fabrication of light‐emitting devices. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1173–1183, 2002     

Synthesis and characterization of new,soluble polyazomethines bearing fluorene and carbazole units in the backbone and solubility‐improving moieties in the side group

A series of novel, soluble polyazomethines bearing fluorene and carbazole moieties in the main chain and solubility‐improving moieties in the side group (dibutyl, ethylhexyl, thienylethyloxy, furyl, and fluorenyl) were synthesized. Good‐quality films of these polymers were prepared through the conventional solution‐casting and drying processes. Depending on the polymer structure, some polymers showed a glass‐transition temperature (107–167 °C) and others showed a melting temperature (285–341 °C). The temperature of 5% weight loss under nitrogen atmosphere of the polymers ranged from 370 to 464 °C. The results indicated that the side groups incorporated into the polyazomethine structure in this work improved the polymer solubility without sacrificing thermal stability. Depending on the polymer structure, some of the polymers were crystalline whereas others were amorphous. All the polyazomethines were solution‐processable and thermally stable, making them potential candidate materials for applications in microelectronics and aerospace. Moreover, the features in the UV–visible spectra of the polyazomethines were redshifted as compared with those of the monomers from which the polymers were synthesized, indicating that these polymers, if combined with an appropriate doping agent to improve the light‐emitting and conducting abilities, may be good candidate materials for optoelectronic devices. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 825–834, 2004     

Synthesis and UCST‐type phase behavior of polypeptide with alkyl side‐chains in alcohol or ethanol/water solvent mixtures

A series of thermoresponsive polypeptides bearing 1‐butyl, 1‐hexyl, or 1‐dodecyl side‐chains (i.e., 6a ‐ 6c ) were synthesized by copper‐mediated 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition with high grafting efficiency (>95%) between side‐chain “clickable” polypeptide, namely poly(γ‐4‐(propargoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐_L‐glutamate) ( 5 ) and 1‐azidoalkanes. 5 with different degree of polymerization (DP = 48–86) were prepared from triethylamine initiated ring‐opening polymerization of γ‐4‐(propargoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐_L‐glutamic acid based N‐carboxyanhydride ( 4 ). ¹H NMR, FTIR, and GPC results revealed the successful preparation of the resulting polypeptides. 6a ‐ 6c showed reversible UCST‐type phase behaviors in methanol, ethanol, and ethanol/water solvent mixtures depending on the polymer main‐chain length, alkyl side‐chain length, weight percentage of ethanol (f_w) in the binary solvent, and so forth. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of the van der Waals interaction between the alkyl pendants of polypeptides and alkyl groups of alcoholic solvents. Variable‐temperature UV‐vis spectroscopy revealed that the UCST‐type phase transition temperature (T_pt) increased as polymer main‐chain length or concentration increased. In ethanol/water solvent mixtures, polypeptide with short alkyl pendant (i.e., 1‐butyl group) and short main‐chain length (DP = 41) showed the widest f_w range and T_pts in the range of 61.0–71.1 °C. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3425–3435     

Melt polycondensation approach for reduction degradable helical polyester based on l‐cystine

Melt polycondensation approach is developed for new classes of reduction responsive disulfide containing functional polyesters based on l ‐cystine amino acid resources under solvent free process. l ‐Cystine was converted into multi‐functional ester‐urethane monomer and subjected to thermoselective transesterification at 120 °C with commercial diols in the presence of Ti(OBu)₄ to produce polyesters with urethane side chains. The polymers were produced in moderate to high molecular weights and the polymers were found to be thermally stable up to 250 °C. The β‐sheet hydrogen bonding interaction among the side chain urethane unit facilitated the self‐assembly of the polyester into amyloid‐like fibrils. The deprotection of urethane unit into amine functionality modified the polymers into water soluble cationic polyester spherical nanoparticles. The reduction degradation of disulfide bond was studied using DTT as a reducing agent and the high molecular weight polymers chains were found be chopped into low molecular weight oligomers. The cytotoxicity of cationic disulfide nanoparticle was studied in MCF‐7 cells and they were found to be biocompatible and non‐toxic to cells upto 50 μg/mL. The custom designed reduction degradable and highly biocompatible disulfide polyesters from l ‐cystine are useful for futuristic biomedical applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2864–2875     

Synthesis and characterizations of new isotactic homopolyesters,statistical and block copolyesters derived of poly((S)‐3,3‐dimethylmalic acid) via the lactone route

This article presents the synthesis of a new family of synthetic isotactic polyesters derived from poly((S)‐3,3‐dimethylmalic acid) (PDMMLA). These polyesters are prepared via the lactone route bearing functionalized groups in its main or side chain. The aim of this work is twofold: metabolism and stereochemistry. First, the synthesis of these new polyesters is chosen to provide biodegradable polyesters biocompatible and bioassimilable by the human body. Next, the molecular chain of this family contains a stereogenic center in the aim to provide 100% isotactic homopolymers and copolymers (statistical and block). Finally, these polymers have been characterized by several analytical techniques: FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, SEC, DSC, and TGA. The greatest importance will be given to the ¹³C NMR and DSC to principally confirm the stereoregularity and crystallinity of these stereopolyesters. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1495–1507     

Stimuli‐responsive brush‐shaped conjugated polymers with pendant well‐defined poly(vinyl ether)s

For the synthesis of brush‐shaped conjugated polymers consisting of a poly(phenylene butadiynylene) backbone and well‐defined poly(vinyl ether) (polyVE) side chains, we designed polyVE‐based macromonomers bearing a diethynyl benzene group at the terminus and applied them to the grafting through synthesis. The macromonomer (DE‐PIBVE) was synthesized by living cationic polymerization of isobutyl VE (IBVE) using a functionalized initiator (TMS‐DEVE‐TFA) having a TMS protected diethynyl benzene moiety, followed by deprotection of the TMS groups. As a result, we succeeded in the synthesis of the target brush‐shaped conjugated polymers [poly(DE‐PIBVE)] by oxidative coupling reaction of the diethynyl benzene groups. We found that the solution of poly(DE‐PIBVE) with a specific side chain length exhibited solvatochromism and thermochromism depending on the polarity of the media employed. This phenomenon was attributed to self‐assembly in polar media due to the intermolecular π–π interaction between neighboring conjugated polymer backbones, where the self‐assembly behavior would be closely related to the pendant polyVE structure. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3318–3325     

Synthesis and evaluations of bisphosphonate‐containing monomers for dental materials

Two new bismethacrylamide ( 1 , 2 ) and two new methacrylamide ( 3 , 4 ) dental monomers were synthesized. In each group, one monomer contains a bisphosphonate group, the other a bisphosphonic acid group. Monomer 1 and 3 were synthesized by amidation of 2‐(2‐chlorocarbonyl‐allyloxymethyl)‐acryloylchloride and methacryloyl chloride with tetraethyl aminomethyl‐bis(phosphonate) and converted to the bisphosphonic acid monomers 2 and 4 by hydrolysis with trimethylsilyl bromide. Monomer 1 (m.p.: 71–72 °C), monomer 3 ( 33–34 °C), and monomer 4 (no m.p.) were obtained as white solids and monomer 2 a viscous liquid, soluble in water. Homopolymerization of 1 gave crosslinked polymers, indicating its low cyclization tendency. The photopolymerization studies indicated that its copolymerizability with 2,2‐bis[4‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methacryloyloxy propyloxy) phenyl] propane and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) without changing their rates and conversions significantly means that it could be used as a biocompatible crosslinker. Although monomer 2 showed low polymerizability, because of its good performance in terms of solubility, hydrolytic stability, hydroxyapatite interaction, acidity, and copolymerizability with HEMA, it shows potential to be used in self‐etching dental adhesives. The thermal polymerization of 3 resulted in soluble polymers and evaluation of monomer 4 in terms of solubility, acidity, and copolymerizability with HEMA indicated its potential as an adhesive monomer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Well‐controlled ATRP of 2‐(2‐(2‐azidoethyoxy)ethoxy)ethyl methacrylate for high‐density click functionalization of polymers and metallic substrates

The combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and click chemistry has created unprecedented opportunities for controlled syntheses of functional polymers. ATRP of azido‐bearing methacrylate monomers (e.g., 2‐(2‐(2‐azidoethyoxy)ethoxy)ethyl methacrylate, AzTEGMA), however, proceeded with poor control at commonly adopted temperature of 50 °C, resulting in significant side reactions. By lowering reaction temperature and monomer concentrations, well‐defined pAzTEGMA with significantly reduced polydispersity were prepared within a reasonable timeframe. Upon subsequent functionalization of the side chains of pAzTEGMA via Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click chemistry, functional polymers with number‐average molecular weights (M_n) up to 22 kDa with narrow polydispersity (PDI < 1.30) were obtained. Applying the optimized polymerization condition, we also grafted pAzTEGMA brushes from Ti6Al4 substrates by surface‐initiated ATRP (SI‐ATRP), and effectively functionalized the azide‐terminated side chains with hydrophobic and hydrophilic alkynes by CuAAC. The well‐controlled ATRP of azido‐bearing methacrylates and subsequent facile high‐density functionalization of the side chains of the polymethacrylates via CuAAC offers a useful tool for engineering functional polymers or surfaces for diverse applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1268–1277     

Pd(0)‐catalyzed polycondensation of aryl‐substituted propargylic carbonates with bifunctional nucleophiles promoted by aryl group on the acetylenic terminal carbon

A Pd(0)‐catalyzed polycondensation of bifunctional nucleophiles and propargylic carbonates having an aryl group was investigated. The polycondensation was carried out for tetrahydrofuran at 60 °C for 3 h in the presence of Pd(0) catalyst. The Pd(0)‐catalyzed polycondensation of phenyl‐substituted propargylic carbonates and nucleophiles proceeded efficiently, when bis[(2‐diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether was used as the ligand. We found that the position of the phenyl group was crucial for the successful polycondensation. The introduction of a phenyl group on the acetylenic terminal carbon remarkably promoted the polycondensation and afforded high molecular weight polymers. On the other hand, a phenyl group at the propargylic position was not effective. Propargylic carbonates having a substituted phenyl group were also examined. Electron‐withdrawing group‐substituted phenyl groups on the acetylenic terminal carbon were found to be more effective for the polycondensation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis and radical ring‐opening polymerization of vinylcyclopropanes derived from amino acids with hydrophobic moieties

Six 1,1‐disubstituted vinylcyclopropanes (VCP) were synthesized from glycine and amino acids bearing hydrophobic moieties, l ‐alanine, l ‐valine, l ‐leucine, l ‐isoleucine, and l ‐phenylalanine. These VCP derivatives efficiently underwent radical ring‐opening polymerization to afford the corresponding polymers bearing trans‐vinylene moiety in the main chains and the amino acid‐derived chiral moieties in the side chains. The polymers were film‐formable, and in the films of polymers bearing the glycine‐ and alanine‐derived side chains, presence of hydrogen bonding was confirmed by IR analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis of the polymers revealed that the temperatures of 5% weight loss were higher than 300 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry clarified that the polymers were amorphous ones showing glass transition temperatures in a range of 48–80 °C. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3996–4002     

Acid‐promoted double ring‐opening reaction of bicyclobis (γ‐butyrolactone) with alcohol and its application to polyester synthesis

Bicyclobis(γ‐butyrolactone) (BBL) bearing methyl group 1a reacted with benzyl alcohol (BnOH) in the presence of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (p‐TsOH) through the double ring‐opening of the bislactone structure to afford the corresponding adduct 2a bearing carboxyl group. The resulting carboxyl group underwent condensation with BnOH to afford the corresponding diester 3a . The second step was quite slow at ambient temperature; however, it was efficiently accelerated by elevating temperature to 120 °C or performing under reduced pressure at 80 °C to afford 3a in an excellent yield. Based on these results, the reaction of 1a with xylene‐α,α‐diol (XyD) was carried out in chlorobenzene at 120 °C to obtain the corresponding polyester bearing ketone group in the side chain. The condensation reaction in the second step was effectively promoted by simultaneous removal of water under reduced pressure. BBLs 1b and 1c bearing reactive groups, isopropenyl and chloromethyl, respectively, were also employed as monomers efficiently. Their reactions with XyD gave the corresponding reactive polyesters bearing methacryloyl and chloroacetyl moieties, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Effect of branched alkyl side chains on the performance of thin‐film transistors and photovoltaic cells fabricated with isoindigo‐based conjugated polymers

New isoindigo and di(thienyl)ethylene‐containing π‐extended conjugated polymers with different branched side chains were synthesized to investigate their physical properties and device performance in thin‐film transistors and photovoltaic cells. 11‐Butyltricosane (S3) and 11‐heptyltricosane (S6) groups were used as side‐chain moieties tethered to isoindigo units. The linking groups between the polymer backbone and bifurcation point in the branched side chain differ in the two polymers (i.e., PIDTE‐S3 and PIDTE‐S6 ). The polymers bearing S6 side chains showed much better charge transport behavior than those with S3 side chains. Thermally annealed PIDTE‐S6 film exhibited an outstanding hole mobility of 4.07 cm² V^?1 s^?1 under ambient conditions. Furthermore, bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells made from a blend film of PIDTE‐S3 and (6,6)‐phenyl C61‐butyric acid methyl ester demonstrated promising device performance with a power conversion efficiency in the range of 4.9–5.0%. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 2015 , 53, 1226–1234     

Palladium on carbon‐catalyzed direct C—H arylation polycondensation of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene with various dibromoarenes

We have demonstrated a direct arylation polycondensation of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene with 2,7‐dibromo‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene using palladium on carbon (Pd/C) as a catalyst. Pd/C is a low‐cost solid‐supported palladium catalyst, giving one of the effective catalytic systems for direct arylation. The Pd/C‐catalyzed direct arylation polycondensation with acetic acid/potassium carbonate in N,N‐dimethylacetamide furnished a high molecular weight π‐conjugated alternating copolymer of EDOT‐fluorene (M_n = 89,300, M_w/M_n = 3.27) in high yield. The polycondensation of EDOT with various dibromoarenes was also achieved, giving EDOT‐carbazole, EDOT‐dialylamine, and EDOT‐bithiophene polymers. Optical and electrochemical properties of the polymers were also discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 55, 1183–1188     

Designing of dipeptide‐based oligoconjugates as potential carrier for drug delivery. Pyroglutamil‐S‐glutamic acid bisoligo‐3‐hydroxybutyrates

In the present article, we describe the synthesis and characterization of conjugates based on pyroglutamyl‐S‐glutamic acid and bisoligo‐[R,S]‐3‐hydroxybutyrates (PyGlu‐S_‐Glu_bisOHB) using anionic ring opening polymerization of β‐butyrolactone with a dipeptide bearing two carboxylate groups as potassium salt. The results indicated that the above‐mentioned reaction is accompanied of oligomerization of β‐butyrolactone yielding (3‐hydroxybutyrates) oligomers with crotonate and carboxyl end groups. We report also the end group analysis of the synthesized conjugates using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), the latter confirmed the presence of a mixture of dipeptide conjugate with β‐butyrolactone oligomer chain and β‐butyrolactone homopolymer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4103–4111, 2008