Novel CuFe2O4@SiO2‐OP2O5H magnetic nanoparticles: Preparation,characterization and first catalytic application to the synthesis of 1,8‐dioxo‐octahydroxanthenes

New functionalized magnetic core–shell nanoparticles, CuFe₂O₄@SiO₂‐OP₂O₅H, were prepared by grafting of phosphorus pentoxide on CuFe₂O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and vibrating sample magnetometry. The catalytic activity of CuFe₂O₄@SiO₂‐OP₂O₅H as a novel catalyst was evaluated in the synthesis of 1,8‐dioxo‐octahydroxanthenes under solvent‐free conditions. The results showed that the catalyst has high activity and the desired products are obtained in high yields within short reaction times. The catalyst is readily recovered using magnetic decantation and can be used at least four times without noticeable deterioration in catalytic activity.     

Facilitating a high‐performance photocatalyst for Suzuki reaction: Palladium nanoparticles immobilized on reduced graphene oxide‐doped graphitic carbon nitride

We prepared a non‐covalently coupled hybrid of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)‐doped graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) by freezing‐assisted assembly and calcination. Fourier transform infrared, Raman and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies and transmission electron microscopy confirmed that rGO was incorporated into the bulk g‐C₃N₄, which was an ideal support for loading Pd nanoparticles. The Pd nanoparticles with an average size of 4.57 nm were uniformly dispersed on the rGO‐doped g‐C₃N₄ surface. The layered structure provided large contact area of g‐C₃N₄ with rGO, further accelerating the electron transfer rate and inhibiting electron–hole recombination. Consequently, compared with Pd/rGO/g‐C₃N₄ and Pd/g‐C₃N₄, the Pd/rGO‐doped g‐C₃N₄ showed a prominent catalytic activity for visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic Suzuki–Miyaura coupling at ambient temperature. The Pd/rGO‐doped g‐C₃N₄ exhibited very high stability after six consecutive cycles with minimal loss of catalytic activity.     

Spinel copper ferrite nanoparticles: Preparation,characterization and catalytic activity

The magnetic CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), O K, Cu and Fe K ‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The azide‐alkyne cycloaddition by the reaction of various phenylacetylenes with a mixture of benzyl halides and NaN₃ and also three component (A³) coupling reaction of aldehyde, alkyne and amine catalyzed by CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles under aerobic conditions led to the formation of the 1,4‐disubstituted‐1,2,3‐triazoles and propargylamines in excellent yields. The catalyst can be recovered by applying an external magnetic field for the subsequent cycloaddition reactions and reused without any tangible loss in catalytic efficiency.     

Synthesis of well‐defined azide‐terminated poly(vinyl alcohol) and their subsequent modification via click chemistry

A new azide‐functionalized xanthate, S‐(4‐azidomethylbenzyl) O‐(2‐methoxyethyl) xanthate, was synthesized and used to mediate the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of vinyl acetate. The polymerization was demonstrated to be controlled, and well‐defined PVAc with α‐azide, ω‐xanthate groups were obtained, the xanthate groups of which were further removed by radical‐induced reduction with lauroyl peroxide in the presence of excess 2‐propanol. Hydrolysis of α‐azide‐terminated PVAc (N₃‐PVAc) led to the formation of the corresponding α‐azide‐terminated PVA (N₃‐PVA). Finally, end‐modification of N₃‐PVA by click chemistry with alkyne‐end‐capped poly(caprolactone) (A‐PCL), alkynyl‐mannose, and alkynyl‐pyrene was carried out to obtain a new block copolymer PCL‐b‐PVA, and two PVA with mannose or pyrene as the end functional groups. The polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and FTIR. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4494–4504, 2009     

Quantification of ATRP initiator density on polymer latex particles by fluorescence labeling technique using copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition

We developed a novel fluorescence labeling technique for quantification of surface densities of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiators on polymer particles. The cationic P(St‐CPEM‐C₄DMAEMA) and anionic P(St‐CPEM) polymer latex particles carrying ATRP‐initiating chlorine groups were prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization of styrene (St), 2‐(2‐chloropropionyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (CPEM), and N‐n‐butyl‐N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐(2‐methacryloyloxy)ethylammonium bromide (C₄DMAEMA). ATRP initiators on the surface of polymer particles were converted into azide groups by sodium azide, followed by fluorescent labeling with 5‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)‐N′‐(prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yl)naphthalene‐1‐sulfonamide (Dansyl‐alkyne) by copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The reaction time required for both azidation of ATRP‐initiating groups and successive fluorescence labeling of azide groups with Dansyl‐alkyne by CuAAC were investigated in detail by FTIR and fluorescence spectral measurement, respectively. The ATRP initiator densities on the cationic P(St‐CPEM‐C₄DMAEMA) and anionic P(St‐CPEM) particle surfaces were estimated to be 0.21 and 0.15 molecules nm^?2, respectively, which gave close agreement with values previously determined by a conductometric titration method. The fluorescence labeling through click chemistry proposed herein is a versatile technique to quantify the surface ATRP initiator density both on anionic and cationic polymer particles. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4042–4051     

Synthesis of “Clickable” Nano Metal‐organic Framework by Generic Postsynthetic Modification Route

Organic azides have been somewhat popularized due to their pivotal role in the emerging field of “click chemistry”. A simple approach has been used for the synthesis of uniform nano Fe‐MIL‐88B‐NH₂, and a generic postsynthetic modification route has been developed for the synthesis of azide‐modified nano Fe‐MIL‐88B‐N₃. The approach also has been used to synthesize the azide‐modified IRMOF‐3(‐N₃). These new azide‐modified Fe‐MIL‐88B‐N₃ nanocrystals hold promising potential for the applications in the fields of “click chemistry”, nanotechnology devices and nano composite membranes.     

Well‐defined drug‐conjugated biodegradable nanoparticles by azide–alkyne click crosslinking in miniemulsion

A new type of biodegradable polymer–drug nanoconjugate was fabricated via the combination of oil‐in‐water miniemulsion and Huisgen azide–alkyne click chemistry. Diazide‐functionalized paclitaxel (PTXL) were prepared through functional group transformation on the C‐2′ and C‐7 positions of PTXL and served as both drug carrier and crosslinker. Acetylene‐functionalized polylactide (PLA) was used as the base polymer. Oil‐in‐water miniemulsion technique was used to create nanodroplets with diameters of round 50 nm, which were used as nanoreactors to control the size and morphology of the drug conjugates. Using sodium ascorbate/CuSO₄·5H₂O as catalysts, click reaction was performed within the nanodroplets between the azide functionalities of the PTXL‐based crosslinker and the pendant acetylene groups of the functional PLA. High extent of reaction was confirmed by FTIR analysis and the resulting drug‐conjugated nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy measurements. These NPs exhibited considerable degradation in proteinase K solution within 1 week. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Synthesis and characterization of controlled drug release carriers based on functionalized amphiphilic block copolymers and super‐paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

In this study, synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanocarriers are reported for drug delivery based on the amphiphilic di‐block and tri‐block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) with surface modified super‐paramagnetite Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs)). The synthesized block copolymers (methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG)–PCL and PCL–PEG–PCL) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and their properties such as critical micelle concentration, hydrophilicity to lipophilicity balance, and hydrolytic degradation were investigated. The block copolymers were functionalized with terminal azide groups (mPEG–PCL(N₃) and (N₃)PCL–PEG–PCL(N₃)), and magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were surface modified with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and propargyl alcohol (MNP–PAA–C≡CH). Magnetic nanocarriers were synthesized by click reaction between azide‐terminated block copolymers and MNP–PAA–C≡CH and characterized by FT‐IR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cytotoxicity was investigated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. In vitro drug loading and release and release kinetics were investigated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Silica/poly (N‐vinylimidazolium) nanospheres by combined RAFT polymerization and thiol‐ene click chemistry

We report a facile method that combined sol–gel reaction, reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)/macromolecular design via interchange of the xanthates process and thiol‐ene click reaction to prepare monodisperse silica core‐poly(N‐vinylimidazole) (PVim) shell microspheres of 200 nm in average diameters. First, silica with C = C double bonds was prepared by the sol–gel reaction of 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylates (MPS) with tetraethoxysilane in ethanol; SiO₂@PVim were subsequently prepared by grafting PVim chain (Mn = 9800 g/mol, polydispersity index = 1.22) to MPS‐SiO₂ via the thiol‐ene click chemisty. The obtained SiO₂@PVim microspheres show higher catalytic activity toward the hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl acetate compared with the PVim homopolymers. The as‐prepared composites have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analysis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of porous g‐C3N4/Ag/Cu2O: a new composite with enhanced visible‐light photocatalytic activity

From previous reports, graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) can be used as a photocatalyst, although the low efficiency of solar energy utilization, small specific surface area and high recombination rate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs limit its practical application. For the purpose of increasing photocatalytic activity, especially under irradiation of visible light, we successfully synthesized a new composite, namely porous g‐C₃N₄/Ag/Cu₂O, through chemical adsorption of Ag‐doped Cu₂O on porous g‐C₃N₄, which has not been investigated carefully worldwide. The composition, morphology and optical properties of the composite were investigated through methods including X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray, Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies and transmission electron microscopy. Using rhodamine B as organic pollutant to be degraded under the irradiation of visible light, different mass ratios of Ag/Cu₂O doped on porous g‐C₃N₄ led to enhanced photocatalytic performance of the composite compared to pure porous g‐C₃N₄. When the mass ratio of Ag/Cu₂O is 15%, porous g‐C₃N₄/Ag/Cu₂O exhibits a degradation rate 2.015 times higher than that of pure porous g‐C₃N₄. The reasons for this phenomenon may be attributed to the increased utilization efficiency of visible light, high‐speed separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, accelerated interfacial transfer process of electrons and increased surface area of the composite. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetically separable g‐C3N4 hybrid nanocomposite: Highly efficient and eco‐friendly recyclable catalyst for one‐pot synthesis of α‐aminonitriles

A magnetically separable graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄/g‐C₃N₄) as a catalyst for the three‐component condensation reactions of carbonyl compounds, amines and trimethylsilylcyanide was thoroughly investigated. The reaction of these three components was found to be efficient, economical and green and took place in the presence of a catalytic amount of the magnetically separable catalyst to yield the corresponding α‐aminonitriles in good to excellent yields. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. The nanocomposite was also found to be reusable could be recovered easily and reused several times without distinct deterioration in its catalytic activity.     

The immobilized Ni(II)‐thiourea complex on silica‐layered copper ferrite: A novel and reusable nanocatalyst for one‐pot reductive‐acetylation of nitroarenes

In this study, magnetically nanoparticles of CuFe₂O₄@SiO₂@PTMS@Tu@Ni(II) as novel and reusable catalyst were prepared. Synthesis of the Ni (II)‐nanocatalyst was carried out through the complexation of Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O with the immobilized thiourea on silica‐layered CuFe₂O₄. The prepared nanocomposite system was then characterized using SEM, EDX, XRD, VSM, ICP‐OES, Raman, UV–Vis and FT‐IR analyses. Catalytic activity of the Ni(II)‐CuFe₂O₄ system was investigated towards rapid reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to arylamines with sodium borohydride as well as one‐pot reductive‐acetylation of nitroarenes to acetanilides with NaBH₄/Ac₂O system without the isolation of intermediate arylamines. All reactions were carried out in H₂O within 3–7 min to afford the products arylamines/acetanilides in high to excellent yields. Reusability of the Ni(II)‐nanocatalyst was examined for seven consecutive cycles without the significant loss of the catalytic activity.     

Synthesis,physicochemical characterization and biological activity of nano complexes of iron(III) of 3(2'‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐(4′‐substituted phenyl) pyrazolines and aspartic acid

Mixed ligand complexes of Iron(III) with aspartic acid and 3(2′‐hydroxy phenyl)‐5‐(4′‐substituted phenyl) pyrazolines of type [Fe(C₄O₄NH₆)₂(C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX)] and [Fe(C₄O₄NH₆)(C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX)₂], where (C₄O₄NH₆) = aspartate, (C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX) = deprotonated 3(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐(4′‐substituted phenyl) pyrazolines (X = H, CH₃, OCH₃, Cl), have been synthesized. These newly synthesized derivatives have been physicochemically characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N, Cl and Fe), magnetic moment data, thermogravimetric analysis, molar conductance, cyclic voltammetry, spectral analysis (UV–visible, IR, far IR and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry). Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray powder diffraction studies have been carried out for powdered samples, which show nanometric particles of these derivatives. Antibacterial and antifungal potential of free pyrazoline and some iron(III) complexes have been evaluated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

H3PW12O40/mpg‐C3N4 as an efficient and reusable catalyst in the alkylation of o‐xylene and styrene

A heterogeneous catalyst (HPW/mpg‐C₃N₄) for the alkylation of o‐xylene and styrene reaction was acquired by the immobilization of phosphotungstic acid (HPW) on mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (mpg‐C₃N₄) through electrostatic interaction. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) proved that HPW was successfully immobilized on the protonated mpg‐C₃N₄ by electrostatic interaction. The textural properties and morphology of HPW/mpg‐C₃N₄ were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Among them, 40% HPW/mpg‐C₃N₄ displays the best catalytic performance in the alkylation reaction with 91.8% yield and 96.5% selectivity to 1, 2‐diphenylethylane. Moreover, protonated mpg‐C₃N₄ not only displays as a support to facilitate great dispersion of HPW but also promotes the alkylation product diffusion effectively. Besides, the HPW/mpg‐C₃N₄ catalyst could be recycled easily without significant loss of catalytic activity, which is demonstrate by the recyclability of HPW/mpg‐C₃N₄ catalyst test.     

Acid‐treated g‐C3N4‐Cu2O composite catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible‐light irradiation

Acid‐treated g‐C₃N₄‐Cu₂O was prepared by hydrothermal reduction followed by high temperature calcination and acid exfoliation. The structures and properties of as‐synthesized samples were characterized using a range of techniques, such as X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Photoluminescence Spectroscopy and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) theory. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by measuring the photodegradation of methyl orange under visible‐light irradiation. Based on the results of TEM, XPS, EPR and other techniques, it was verified that a heterojunction was formed. The acid treatment process can increase the specific surface area to form abundant heterojunction interfaces as channels for photo‐generated carrier separation, thereby enhancing its light utilization and quantum efficiency. Results indicate that acid‐treated g‐C₃N₄‐Cu₂O possesses a large specific surface area, which provides plentiful activated sites for heterojunctions to form; in addition, it showed a high visible light effect and the minimum charge‐transfer resistance. Furthermore, the g‐C₃N₄‐Cu₂O material exhibits high levels of effectiveness and stability. Electron paramagnetic resonance and a series of radical trapping experiments demonstrate that the holes and ?O₂^? could be the main active species in methyl orange photodegradation. This work could provide new insights into the fabrication of composite materials as high‐performance photocatalysts, and facilitate their application in addressing environmental protection issues.     

Preparation and Pb (II) adsorption in aqueous of 2D/2D g‐C3N4/MnO2 composite

A novel g‐C₃N₄/MnO₂ composite was prepared by in situ deposition of MnO₂ on graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) nanosheets, and its adsorption properties were evaluated for removal of Pb (II) in aqueous. Fourier transform‐infrared, spectrometer scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy characterization showed the g‐C₃N₄/MnO₂ composite had a two‐dimensional/two‐dimensional (2D/2D) structure with ample active sites. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area of g‐C₃N₄/MnO₂ composites (234.9 m²/g) was 13.5 times larger than that of g‐C₃N₄ (17.37 m²/g), providing better conditions for adsorption. The adsorption kinetic data were better fitted with the pseudo‐second‐order model. The Langmuir model was more suitable for describing the experimental equilibrium data of g‐C₃N₄/MnO₂, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 204.1 mg/g for Pb (II). The adsorption of g‐C₃N₄/MnO₂ composite for Pb (II) was an endothermic and spontaneous process, and reached adsorption equilibrium rapidly within initial 150 min. This composite was an excellent adsorbent because of its higher adsorption capacity and facile preparation progress.     

Magnetic copper ferrite catalyzed homo‐ and cross‐coupling reaction of terminal alkynes under ambient atmosphere

The application of non‐toxic and magnetically separable nano‐CuFe₂O₄ as an efficient catalyst for oxidative homo‐ and cross‐coupling reaction of terminal alkynes is described. A wide range of symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,3‐diynes have been synthesized in moderate to good yields under ambient atmosphere. The nano CuFe₂O₄ can be recovered with a magnet and reused at least five consecutive cycles with no appreciable loss of its catalytic activity.     

Copper(I) iodide supported on modified cellulose‐based nano‐magnetite composite as a biodegradable catalyst for the synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazoles

Nano‐Fe₃O₄@Cellulose‐NH₂‐CuI as a novel magnetically separable composite was prepared and fully characterized using various techniques including Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray photoelectron and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies, X‐ray diffraction, field‐emission scanning and transmission electron microscopies, thermogravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry. To obtain an appropriate structure and also to describe to some extent the different kinds of metal–ligand interactions present in the nano‐Fe₃O₄@Cellulose‐NH₂‐CuI composite, covalent and electrostatic interactions, density functional theory model chemistry and quantum theory of atoms in molecules method were employed, respectively. This cellulose‐based heterogeneous catalyst can effectively promote the one‐pot three‐component reaction of a variety of terminal alkynes bearing substituted phenyls or propargylic alcohol together with substituted benzyl halides and sodium azide, so‐called click reaction, in water to afford the corresponding 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles with improved yields and regioselectivity. The magnetic catalyst was conventionally recovered using an external magnet and reused in at least four successive runs under the optimal reaction conditions, without appreciable loss of its activity.     

Eight new crystal structures of 5‐(hydroxymethyl)uracil, 5‐carboxyuracil and 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil: insights into the hydrogen‐bonded networks and the predominant conformations of the C5‐bound residues

In order to examine the preferred hydrogen‐bonding pattern of various uracil derivatives, namely 5‐(hydroxymethyl)uracil, 5‐carboxyuracil and 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil, and for a conformational study, crystallization experiments yielded eight different structures: 5‐(hydroxymethyl)uracil, C₅H₆N₂O₃, (I), 5‐carboxyuracil–N,N‐dimethylformamide (1/1), C₅H₄N₂O₄·C₃H₇NO, (II), 5‐carboxyuracil–dimethyl sulfoxide (1/1), C₅H₄N₂O₄·C₂H₆OS, (III), 5‐carboxyuracil–N,N‐dimethylacetamide (1/1), C₅H₄N₂O₄·C₄H₉NO, (IV), 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil–N,N‐dimethylformamide (1/1), C₅H₄N₂O₃S·C₃H₇NO, (V), 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil–dimethyl sulfoxide (1/1), C₅H₄N₂O₃S·C₂H₆OS, (VI), 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil–1,4‐dioxane (2/3), 2C₅H₄N₂O₃S·3C₆H₁₂O₃, (VII), and 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil, C₁₀H₈N₄O₆S₂, (VIII). While the six solvated structures, i.e. (II)–(VII), contain intramolecular S(6) O—H…O hydrogen‐bond motifs between the carboxy and carbonyl groups, the usually favoured R₂²(8) pattern between two carboxy groups is formed in the solvent‐free structure, i.e. (VIII). Further R₂²(8) hydrogen‐bond motifs involving either two N—H…O or two N—H…S hydrogen bonds were observed in three crystal structures, namely (I), (IV) and (VIII). In all eight structures, the residue at the ring 5‐position shows a coplanar arrangement with respect to the pyrimidine ring which is in agreement with a search of the Cambridge Structural Database for six‐membered cyclic compounds containing a carboxy group. The search confirmed that coplanarity between the carboxy group and the cyclic residue is strongly favoured.     

Thermal and pH‐sensitive gold nanoparticles from H‐shaped block copolymers of (PNIPAM/PDMAEMA)‐b‐PEG‐b‐(PNIPAM/PDMAEMA)

Well‐defined H‐shaped pentablock copolymers composed of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), poly(N,N‐dimethylaminoethylacrylamide) (PDMAEMA), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with the chain architecture of (A/B)‐b‐C‐b‐(A/B) were synthesized by the combination of single‐electron‐transfer living radical polymerization, atom‐transfer radical polymerization, and click chemistry. Single‐electron‐transfer living radical polymerization of NIPAM using α,ω azide‐capped PEG macroinitiator resulted in PNIPAM‐b‐PEG‐b‐PNIPAM with azide groups at the block joints. Atom‐transfer radical polymerization of DMAEMA initiated by propargyl 2‐chloropropionate gave out α‐capped alkyne‐PDMAEMA. The H‐shaped copolymers were finally obtained by the click reaction between PNIPAM‐b‐PEG‐b‐PNIPAM and alkyne‐PDMAEMA. These copolymers were used to prepare stable colloidal gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in aqueous solution without any external reducing agent. The formation of GNPs was affected by the length of PDMAEMA block, the feed ratio of the copolymer to HAuCl₄, and the pH value. The surface plasmon absorbance of these obtained GNPs also exhibited pH and thermal dependence because of the existence of PNIAPM and PDAMEMA blocks. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010