Synthesis and properties of amphiphilic and biodegradable poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐glycidol) copolymers

We have synthesized poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐tert‐butyl glycidyl ether) (CL‐co‐BGE) statistical copolymers using 1‐tert‐butyl‐4,4,4‐tris(dimethylamino)‐2,2‐bis [tris(dimethylamino)phophoranylidenamino]‐2Λ5,4Λ5‐catenadi(phosphazene) (t‐BuP₄) as the catalyst. The hydrolysis of the resulting polymers yields amphiphilic poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐glycidol) (CL‐co‐GD) copolymers. By use of the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D), we have investigated the enzymatic degradation of the copolymers. It is shown that the degradation rate increases with the content of hydrophilic (GD) units. (3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay experiments demonstrate that the CL‐co‐GD copolymers have low cytotoxicity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 846–853     

Well‐defined non‐linear polyethylene‐based macromolecular architectures

Polyethylene (PE)‐based 3‐ and 4‐miktoarm star [PE(PCL)₂, PE(PCL)₃] and H‐type [(PCL)₂PE(PCL)₂] block copolymers [polycaprolactone (PCL)] were synthesized by a combination of polyhomologation, chlorosilane chemistry, and ring opening polymerization (ROP). The following steps were used for the synthesis of the miktoarm stars: (a) reaction of a hydroxy‐terminated polyethylene (PE‐OH), prepared by polyhomologation of dimethylsulfoxonium methylide with a monofunctional boron initiator followed by oxidation/hydrolysis, with chloromethyl(methyl)dimethoxysilane or chloromethyltrimethoxysilane; (b) hydrolysis of the produced ω‐di(tri)methoxysilyl‐polyethylenes to afford ω‐dihydroxy‐polyethylene (difunctional initiator) and ω‐trihydroxy‐polyethylene (trifunctional initiator); and (c) ROP of ɛ‐caprolactone with the difunctional (3‐miktoarm star) or trifunctional macroinitiator (4‐miktoarm star), in the presence of 1‐tert‐butyl‐2,2,4,4,4‐pentakis(dimethylamino)‐2λ⁵,4λ⁵‐catenadi(phosphazene) (t‐BuP₂). The H‐type block copolymers were synthesized using the same strategy, but with a difunctional polyhomologation initiator. All intermediates and final products were characterized by HT‐GPC, ¹H NMR and FTIR analyses. Thermal properties of the PE precursors and all final products were investigated by DSC and TGA. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2129–2136     

Three‐arm star block copolymers of ε‐caprolactone and acrylic acid: Synthesis and micellization behavior

A series of well‐defined three‐arm star poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(acrylic acid) copolymers having different block lengths were synthesized via the combination of ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, three‐arm star poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) (M_n = 2490–7830 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.19–1.24) were synthesized via ROP of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) using tris(2‐hydroxyethyl)cynuric acid as three‐arm initiator and stannous octoate (Sn(Oct)₂) as a catalyst. Subsequently, the three‐arm macroinitiator transformed from such PCL in high conversion initiated ATRPs of tert‐butyl acrylate (^tBuA) to construct three‐arm star PCL‐b‐P^tBuA copolymers (M_n = 10,900–19,570 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.14–1.23). Finally, the three‐arm star PCL‐b‐PAA copolymer was obtained via the hydrolysis of the PtBuA segment in three‐arm star PCL‐b‐P^tBuA copolymers. The chain structures of all the polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The aggregates of three‐arm star PCL‐b‐PAA copolymer were studied by the determination of critical micelles concentration and transmission electron microscope. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Synthesis and characterization of novel resorcinarene‐centered amphiphilic star‐block copolymers consisting of eight ABA triblock arms by combination of ROP,ATRP, and click chemistry

Novel amphiphilic eight‐arm star triblock copolymers, star poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(acrylic acid)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)s (SPCL‐PAA‐PCL) with resorcinarene as core moiety were prepared by combination of ROP, ATRP, and “click” reaction strategy. First, the hydroxyl end groups of the predefined eight‐arm SPCLs synthesized by ROP were converted to 2‐bromoesters which permitted ATRP of tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) to form star diblock copolymers: SPCL‐PtBA. Next, the bromide end groups of SPCL‐PtBA were quantitatively converted to terminal azides by NaN₃, which were combined with presynthesized alkyne‐terminated poly(ε‐caprolactone) (A‐PCL) in the presence of Cu(I)/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine in DMF to give the star triblock copolymers: SPCL‐PtBA‐PCL. ¹H NMR, FTIR, and SEC analyses confirmed the expected star triblock architecture. The hydrolysis of tert‐butyl ester groups of the poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) blocks gave the amphiphilic star triblock copolymers: SPCL‐PAA‐PCL. These amphiphilic star triblock copolymers could self‐assemble into spherical micelles in aqueous solution with the particle size ranging from 20 to 60 nm. Their micellization behaviors were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2905–2916, 2009     

A Cyclic Hydroxylaminato‐aminoxide Complex of Gallium

The reaction of HON(tBu)CH₂CH₂N(tBu)OH with tri‐tert‐butyl gallium affords a hydroxylaminato complex of the formula [tBu₂Ga{ON(tBu)CH₂CH₂N(H)(tBu)O}], which contains a monoanionic bishydroxylaminato ligand with one anionic and one neutral, but tautomeric aminoxide end, both linked to gallium by their oxygen atoms leading to a seven‐membered ring. The compound was characterised by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and determination of its crystal structure.     

Über die Oxo‐cyclotetraphosphane (PBut)4O1–4

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 243 On the Oxocyclotetraphosphanes (PBu^t)₄O_1–4 Under suitable conditions, the reaction of tetra‐tert‐butylcyclotetraphosphane, (PBu^t)₄, with dry atmospheric oxygen gives rise to the corresponding monoxide (PBu^t)₄O ( 1 ) which has been isolated by column chromatography. The reaction with hydrogen peroxide furnishes a mixture of oxocyclotetraphosphanes (PBu^t)₄O_1–4 consisting of two constitutionally isomeric dioxides (PBu^t)₄O₂ ( 2 a , 2 b ), the trioxide (PBu^t)₄O₃ ( 3 ), and the tetraoxide (PBu^t)₄O₄ ( 4 ), in addition to 1 . According to the ³¹P NMR parameters the oxygen atoms are exclusively exocyclically bonded to the phosphorus four‐membered ring. Which of the P atoms are present as λ⁵‐phosphorus follows from the different low‐field shifts of the individual P nuclei compared with the starting compound. Accordingly, 1 is 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1‐oxocyclotetraphosphane, 2 a and 2 b are 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐dioxo‐ and ‐1,3‐dioxocyclotetraphosphane, respectively, 3 is 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2,3‐trioxocyclotetraphosphane, and 4 is 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetraoxocyclotetraphosphane. When the oxidation reaction proceeds a fission of the P₄ ring takes place.     

tert‐Butyl(tert‐butoxy)zinc Hydroxides: Hybrid Models for Single‐Source Precursors of ZnO Nanocrystals

Alkylzinc alkoxides, [RZnOR′]₄, have received much attention as efficient precursors of ZnO nanocrystals (NCs), and their “Zn₄O₄” heterocubane core has been regarded as a “preorganized ZnO”. A comprehensive investigation of the synthesis and characterization of a new family of tert‐butyl(tert‐butoxy)zinc hydroxides, [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)_x(μ₃‐OH)_4?x], as model single‐source precursors of ZnO NCs is reported. The direct reaction between well‐defined [tBuZnOH]₆ ( 1₆ ) and [tBuZnOtBu]₄ ( 2₄ ) in various molar ratios allows the isolation of new mixed cubane aggregates as crystalline solids in a high yield: [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)₃(μ₃‐OH)] ( 3 ), [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)₂(μ₃‐OH)₂] ( 4 ), [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)(μ₃‐OH)₃] ( 5 ). The resulting products were characterized in solution by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The thermal transformations of 2 – 5 were monitored by in situ variable‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric measurements. The investigation showed that the Zn?OH groups appeared to be a desirable feature for the solid‐state synthesis of ZnO NCs that significantly decreased the decomposition temperature of crystalline precursors 3 – 5 .     

Synthesis of well‐defined amphiphilic polymethylene‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(acrylic acid) triblock copolymer via a combination of polyhomologation,ring‐opening polymerization,and atom transfer radical polymerization

Well‐defined amphiphilic polymethylene‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(acrylic acid) (PM‐b‐PCL‐b‐PAA) triblock copolymers were synthesized via a combination of polyhomologation, ring‐opening polymerization (ROP), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, hydroxyl‐terminated polymethylenes (PM‐OH; M_n = 1100 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.09) were produced by polyhomologation followed by oxidation. Then, the PM‐b‐PCL (M_n = 10,000 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.27) diblock copolymers were synthesized via ROP of ε‐caprolactone using PM‐OH as macroinitiator and stannous octanoate (Sn(Oct)₂) as a catalyst. Subsequently, the macroinitiator transformed from PM‐b‐PCL in high conversion initiated ATRPs of tert‐butyl acrylate (^tBA) to construct PM‐b‐PCL‐b‐P^tBA triblock copolymers (M_n = 11,000–14,000 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.24–1.26). Finally, the PM‐b‐PCL‐b‐PAA triblock copolymers were obtained via the hydrolysis of the P^tBA segment in PM‐b‐PCL‐b‐P^tBA triblock copolymers. The chain structures of all the polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Porous films of such triblock copolymers were fabricated by static breath‐figure method and observed by scanning electron microscope. The aggregates of PM‐b‐PCL‐b‐PAA triblock copolymer were studied by transmission electron microscope. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Synthesis,surface properties,and morphologies of poly[methyl(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)siloxane]‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) triblock copolymers by a combination of anionic ROP and ATRP

A series of well‐defined poly[methyl(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)siloxane]‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PMTFPS‐b‐PS‐b‐PtBA) triblock copolymers were prepared by a combination of anionic ring‐opening polymerization of 1,3,5‐trimethyl‐1,3,5‐tris(3′,3′,3′‐trifluoropropyl)cyclotrisiloxane (F₃), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene (St) and tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA), using the obtained α‐bromoisobutyryl‐terminal PMTFPS (PMTFPS‐Br) as the macroinitiators. The ATRP of St from PMTFPS‐Br, as well as the ATRP of tBA from the obtained PMTFPS‐b‐PS‐Br macroinitiators, has typical characteristic of controlled/living polymerization. The results of contact angle measurements for the films of PMTFPS‐b‐PS‐b‐PtBA triblock copolymers demonstrate that the compositions have an effect on the wetting behavior of the copolymer films. For the copolymer films with different compositions, there may be different macroscale or nanoscale structures on the outmost layer of the copolymer surfaces. The films with high content of PtBA blocks exhibit almost no ordered microstructures on the outmost layer of the copolymer surfaces, even though they have microphase‐separated structures in bulk. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Hybrid copolymerization of cyclic and vinyl monomers

In this work,we report the hybrid copolymerization of various cyclic monomers and vinyl monomers.Our studies demonstrate that 1-tert-butyl-4,4,4-tris-(dimethylamino)-2,2-bis[tris(dimethylamino) phophoranyliden-amino]-2 5,5-catenadi(phosphazene) (t-BuP 4) can catalyze the hybrid copolymerization of caprolactone (CL),lactide (LA) or cyclic carbonate ester with acrylate or methyl acrylate.However,the polymerization of cyclosiloxane with vinyl monomers yields two corresponding homopolymers,and the polymerization of lactone with acrylonitrile (AN) produces only polyacrylonitrile.Clearly,the extent of matching of activity between a monomer and an active center determines whether or not there is hybrid copolymerization.     

Lanthanoidkomplexe von 1‐(2‐Propenyl)‐ und 1‐(3‐Butenyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecan‐4,7,10‐triessigsäure

η³‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane molybdenum tricarbonyl reacts with allyl bromide and 3‐butenyl bromide in dimethylformamide in the presence of K₂CO₃ yielding 1‐(2‐propenyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane ( 1a ) and 1‐(3‐butenyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane ( 1b ), which on their part react with bromoacetic acid tert‐butyl ester in CH₃CN to give 1‐(2‐propenyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐4,7,10‐tris‐acetic acid tert‐butyl ester ( 2a ) and 1‐(3‐butenyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐4,7,10‐tris‐acetic acid tert‐butyl ester ( 2b ), respectively. Compounds 2a and 2b are converted into the corresponding acids 1‐(2‐propenyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐4,7,10‐tris‐acetic acid ( 4a ) (MPC) and 1‐(3‐butenyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐4,7,10‐tris‐acetic acid ( 4b ) (MBC) via the trifluoroacetates 3a and 3b . Sm(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₆, LuCl₃(THF)₃, and TmCl₃(H₂O)₆ react with 4a and 4b forming the lanthanide complexes Sm(MPC) ( 5 ), Lu(MPC) ( 6 ), Tm(MPC) ( 7a ) and Tm(MBC) ( 7b ). The IR as well as the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of the new compounds are reported and discussed.     

Der erste viergliedrige Al/P‐Ring,der von drei Phosphoratomen und einem Aluminiumatom gebildet wird: Synthese und Kristallstruktur von [Cp*Al(PtBu)3]

The First Four‐Membered Al/P Ring formed by three Phosphorus Atoms nd one Aluminium Atom: Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [Cp*Al(P t Bu)₃] (AlCp*)₄ reacts with (PtBu)₃ at 90 °C to form the new cyclic Al/P‐compound 1,2,3‐tris‐t‐butyl‐tri‐phospha‐4‐pentamethylcyclopentadienylaluminetane: [Cp*Al(PtBu)₃] ( 1 ). 1 has been characterised by single crystal x‐ray diffraction, ³¹P{¹H}‐NMR spectroscopy as well as mass spectroscopy. It consists of a folded four‐membered AlP₃‐ring and differs therefore from all Al/P‐compounds known so far, which always show alternating Al‐P‐positions. 1 crystallises in the orthorhombic spacegroup P2₁2₁2₁, the lattice constants are: a = 9.067 pm, b = 16.212 pm, c = 17.449 pm, α = β = γ = 90°.     

Cyclopropenimine as a hydrogen bond acceptor—towards the strongest non-phosphorus superbases

Utilizing dialkylamino cyclopropenimines as hydrogen bond acceptors in tri-substituted guanidines and cyclopropenimines, we computationally designed the most basic superbases possessing intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IHB-superbases) so far. The values of proton affinity in the gas phase range between 296.6 and 306 kcal mol⁻¹, with estimated pK_a values in acetonitrile between 35.5 and 39.7. The obtained PAs of five new IHB-superbases surpass the basicity of the paradigmatic P4-tBu Schwesinger phosphazene, whereas pK_a values come close to that of P4-tBu. None of the designed superbases contain phosphorus, which puts them among few most basic non-phosphorus superbases desiged so far.     

Polymerization of isoprene with η5‐C5H4(tert‐Bu)TiCl3/MAO catalyst

cis‐Selective polymerizations of isoprene with the catalysts composed of η⁵‐C₅H₄(R)TiCl₃ (1; R?H, 2 ; tert‐Bu) and methylaluminoxane were investigated. Both catalysts showed remarkable catalytic activities for the polymerization of isoprene. The polymerization activities were strongly affected by the substituent introduced on cyclopentadienyl ring. Introduction of bulky tert‐butyl group was found to be effective for enhancement of polymerization activity, but the cis‐content of polyisoprene prepared by the 2 /MAO catalyst was lower than that by 1 /MAO catalyst. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1841–1844, 2004     

Neue molekulare Indium‐Zinn‐Sauerstoff‐ und Indium‐Zinn‐Natrium‐Sauerstoff‐Chlor‐Cluster

Abstract. The five‐membered heteroelement cluster THF · Cl₂In(O^tBu)₃Sn reacts with the sodium stannate [Na(O^tBu)₃Sn]₂ to produce either the new oxo‐centered alkoxo cluster ClInO[Sn(O^tBu)₂]₃ ( 1 ) (in low yield) or the heteroleptic alkoxo cluster Sn(O^tBu)₃InCl₃Na[Sn(O^tBu)₂]₂ ( 2 ). X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal that in compound 1 the polycyclic entity is made of three tin atoms which together with a central oxygen atom form a trigonal, almost planar triangle, perpendicular to which a further indium atom is connected through the oxygen atom. The metal atoms thus are arranged in a Sn₃In pyramid, the edges of which are all saturated by bridging tert‐butoxy groups. The indium atom has a further chloride ligand. Compound 2 has two trigonal bipyramids as building blocks which are fused together at a six coordinate indium atom. One of the bipyramids is of the type SnO₃In with tert‐butyl groups on the oxygen atoms, while the other has the composition InCl₃Na with chlorine atoms connecting the two metals. The sodium atom in 2 has further contacts to two plus one alkoxide groups which are part of a[Sn(O^tBu)₂]₂ dimer disposing of a Sn₂O₂ central cycle. The hetero element cluster in 2 thus combines three closed entities and its skeleton SnO₃InCl₃NaO₂Sn₂O₂ consists of three different metallic and two different non‐metallic elements.     

Synthesis of amphiphilic A4B4 star‐shaped copolymers by mechanisms transformation combining with thiol‐ene reaction

Using core‐first strategy, the amphiphilic A₄B₄ star‐shaped copolymers [poly(ethylene oxide)]₄[poly(ε‐caprolactone)]₄ [(PEO)₄(PCL)₄], [poly(ethylene oxide)]₄[poly(styrene)]₄ [(PEO)₄(PS)₄], and [poly(ethylene oxide)]₄[poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)]₄ [(PEO)₄(PtBA)₄] were synthesized by mechanisms transformation combining with thiol‐ene reaction. First, using a designed multifunctional mikto‐initiator with four active hydroxyl groups and four allyl groups, the four‐armed star‐shaped polymers (PEO‐Ph)₄/(OH)₄ with four active hydroxyl groups at core position were obtained by sequential ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ethylene oxide monomers, capping reaction of living oxyanion with benzyl chloride, and transformation of allyl groups into hydroxyl groups by thiol‐ene reaction. Then, the A₄B₄ star‐shaped copolymers (PEO)₄(PS)₄ or (PEO)₄(PtBA)₄ were obtained by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene or tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) monomers from macroinitiator of (PEO‐Ph)₄/(Br)₄, which was obtained by esterification of (PEO‐Ph)₄/(OH)₄ with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide. The A₄B₄ star‐shaped copolymers (PEO)₄(PCL)₄ were also obtained by ROP of ε‐caprolactopne monomers from macroinitiator of (PEO‐Ph)₄/(OH)₄. The target copolymers and intermediates were characterized by size‐exclusion chromatography, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance in detail. This synthetic route might be a versatile one to various A_nB_n (n ≥ 3) star‐shaped copolymers with defined structure and compositions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4572–4583     

Synthesis of Styrenic‐Terminated Methacrylate Macromonomers by Nitroanion‐Initiated Living Anionic Polymerization

N‐Isopropyl‐4‐vinylbenzylamine (PVBA) was synthesized and used as an initiator for the polymerization of methacrylates to synthesize macromonomers with terminal styrenic moieties. LiPVBA initiated a living polymerization and block copolymerization of methyl methacrylate, 2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and tert‐butyl methacrylate and produced polymers having well‐controlled molecular weights and very low polydispersities (M̄_w/M̄_n < 1.1) in quantitative yield. ¹H NMR analysis revealed that the polymers contained terminal 4‐vinylbenzyl groups. The macromonomers were reactive in the copolymerization with styrene.     

Chirale 1,3,2‐Oxazaborolidine aus chiralen 2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐1,3,2‐diazaborolen und Diphenylketen

Chiral 1,3,2‐Oxazaborolidines from the Reaction of Chiral 2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐1,3,2‐diazaboroles and Diphenylketene Reaction of equimolar amounts of diphenylketene with 1,3‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐isobutyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,3,2‐diazaborole ( 1 ) regioselectively afforded 1,3,2‐oxazaborolidine ( 2 ). The employment of a series of chiral diazaboroles ( 3a : X = nBu; b: iBu; c: CH₂SiMe₃; d: NHtBu) led to the formation of the diastereoisomeric oxazaborolidines ( 4a – d ) with diastereomeric excesses de, which increase with the steric demand of X from de = 55 % (X = nBu) to de ≥ 95 % (X = NHtBu). Under comparable conditions the treatment of the enantiomerically pure diazaborole ( 6 ) with the ketene yielded oxazaborolidine ( 7 ) with a de‐value of only 52 %. The new compounds, with exception of 2 and 4d , are thermolabile solids, which were characterized mainly by spectroscopy (¹H‐, ¹¹B{¹H}‐, ¹³C{¹H}‐NMR, MS). The X‐ray structure analysis of 2 revealed a slightly puckered five‐membered heterocycle with a long B–O bond.     

Synthesis and self‐assembly of well‐defined cyclodextrin‐centered amphiphilic A14B7 multimiktoarm star copolymers based on poly(ε‐caprolactone) and poly(acrylic acid)

Novel amphiphilic A₁₄B₇ multimiktoarm star copolymers composed of 14 poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) arms and 7 poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) arms with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) as core moiety were synthesized by the combination of controlled ring‐opening polymerization (CROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). 14‐Arm star PCL homopolymers (CDSi‐SPCL) were first synthesized by the CROP of CL using per‐6‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)‐β‐CD as the multifunctional initiator in the presence of Sn(Oct)₂ at 125 °C. Subsequently, the hydroxyl end groups of CDSi‐SPCL were blocked by acetyl chloride. After desilylation of the tert‐butyldimethylsilyl ether groups from the β‐CD core, 7 ATRP initiating sites were introduced by treating with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide, which further initiated ATRP of tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) to prepare well‐defined A₁₄B₇ multimiktoarm star copolymers [CDS(PCL‐PtBA)]. Their molecular structures and physical properties were in detail characterized by ¹H NMR, SEC‐MALLS, and DSC. The selective hydrolysis of tert‐butyl ester groups of the PtBA block gave the amphiphilic A₁₄B₇ multimiktoarm star copolymers [CDS(PCL‐PAA)]. These amphiphilic copolymers could self‐assemble into multimorphological aggregates in aqueous solution, which were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2961–2974, 2010     

Amphiphilic star‐block copolymers based on a hyperbranched core: Synthesis and supramolecular self‐assembly

Novel amphiphilic star‐block copolymers, star poly(caprolactone)‐block‐poly[(2‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] and poly(caprolactone)‐block‐poly(methacrylic acid), with hyperbranched poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA–OH) as a core moiety were synthesized and characterized. The star‐block copolymers were prepared by a combination of ring‐opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, hyperbranched PHEMA–OH with 18 hydroxyl end groups on average was used as an initiator for the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone to produce PHEMA–PCL star homopolymers [PHEMA = poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate); PCL = poly(caprolactone)]. Next, the hydroxyl end groups of PHEMA–PCL were converted to 2‐bromoesters, and this gave rise to macroinitiator PHEMA–PCL–Br for ATRP. Then, 2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or tert‐butyl methacrylate was polymerized from the macroinitiators, and this afforded the star‐block copolymers PHEMA–PCL–PDMA [PDMA = poly(2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)] and PHEMA–PCL–PtBMA [PtBMA = poly(tert‐butyl methacrylate)]. Characterization by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the expected molecular structure. The hydrolysis of tert‐butyl ester groups of the poly(tert‐butyl methacrylate) blocks gave the star‐block copolymer PHEMA–PCL–PMAA [PMAA = poly(methacrylic acid)]. These amphiphilic star‐block copolymers could self‐assemble into spherical micelles, as characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6534–6544, 2005