Fully charged: Maximizing the potential of cationic polyelectrolytes in applications ranging from membranes to gene delivery through rational design

Polyelectrolytes have found utility across various applications in materials science, from electrochemical devices to biotechnology, due to their facile processing and tunable properties. Through chemistry, rational manipulation of molecular structure enables individual families of polyelectrolytes to be used in emerging advanced applications. In this perspective, we focus on cationic systems, and we describe how various structural motifs influence macromolecular properties for anion exchange membranes and gene delivery vectors. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3167–3174     

Fabrication of Arrays of Polymer Gradients Using Inkjet Printing

Arrays of 84 polymer gradients, fabricated on a single glass microscope slide, were generated by inkjet printing, allowing a combination of high‐throughput and true combinatorial methods. The gradual change of composition within the polymer gradients, consisting of two different monomers and a cross‐linker, was validated by XPS and fluorescence analysis. Cellular screening of the gradients allowed the rapid identification of optimal polymer compositions for binding of the suspension cell line K562 and the adherent cell line HeLa. The polymers identified were identical to those identified by previous microarray data, providing proof of concept for the successful application of the polymer gradient arrays as a screening tool. In addition, the polymer gradients could be readily modified by conjugation enabling the generation of bio‐molecule gradients.     

Fucoidan‐Mimetic Glycopolymers as Tools for Studying Molecular and Cellular Responses in Human Blood Platelets

The marine sulfated polysaccharide fucoidan displays superior ability to induce platelet aggregation compared to other sulfated polysaccharides. As such, it is an attractive tool for studying molecular and cellular responses in activated platelets. The heterogeneous structure, however, poses a problem in such applications. This study describes the synthesis of sulfated α‐l ‐fucoside‐pendant poly(methacryl amides) with homogeneous structures. By using both thiol‐mediated chain transfer and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization techniques, glycopolymers with different chain lengths are obtained. These glycopolymers show platelet aggregation response and surface changes similar to those of fucoidan, and cause platelet activation through intracellular signaling as shown by extensive protein tyrosine phosphorylation. As the platelet activating properties of the glycopolymers strongly mimic those of fucoidan, this study concludes these fucoidan‐mimetic glycopolymers are unique tools for studying molecular and cellular responses in human blood platelets.

     

Functionalizing the interior of dendrimers: Synthetic challenges and applications

Chemists' fascination with dendrimers mainly originates from their unique architecture and its exploitation for the design of well‐defined functional macromolecules. Depending on the nature of the synthesis, functionalization is traditionally introduced at the core, the periphery, or both. However, the specific incorporation of functional groups at the interior layers, i.e., generations, represents a considerable synthetic hurdle that must be overcome for the full potential of dendrimers to be realized. This review covers recent advances in this emerging frontier of dendrimer science with a particular focus on covalent modifications. Monomer design, syntheses, and properties of various dendritic backbone types are discussed. Internal functionalization dramatically increases the degree of complexity that can be implemented into a dendrimer macromolecule and, therefore, promises to lead to smart materials for future applications in bio‐ and nanotechnologies. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1047–1058, 2003     

Recent Advances in the Chemistry and Biology of Naturally Occurring Antibiotics

Ever since the world‐shaping discovery of penicillin, nature's molecular diversity has been extensively screened for new medications and lead compounds in drug discovery. The search for agents intended to combat infectious diseases has been of particular interest and has enjoyed a high degree of success. Indeed, the history of antibiotics is marked with impressive discoveries and drug‐development stories, the overwhelming majority of which have their origin in natural products. Chemistry, and in particular chemical synthesis, has played a major role in bringing naturally occurring antibiotics and their derivatives to the clinic, and no doubt these disciplines will continue to be key enabling technologies. In this review article, we highlight a number of recent discoveries and advances in the chemistry, biology, and medicine of naturally occurring antibiotics, with particular emphasis on total synthesis, analogue design, and biological evaluation of molecules with novel mechanisms of action.     

Dendrimers based on [1,3,5]‐triazines

A comprehensive and chronological account of dendrimers based on [1,3,5]‐triazines is provided. Synthetic strategies to install the triazine through cycloaddition, cyclotrimerization, and nucleophilic aromatic substitution of cyanuric chloride are discussed. Motivations and applications of these architectures are surveyed, including the preparation of supramolecular assemblies in the solution and solid states and their use in medicines, advanced materials, and separations when anchored to solid supports. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3411–3433, 2006     

Small band gap conjugated polymers based on thiophene–thienopyrazine copolymers

In this study, five small band gap thiophene ( TH )–thienopyrazine ( TP ) conjugated copolymers were synthesized by Stille‐coupling reaction. The polymer structures consisted of one to four thiophene rings with the TP of different side groups provided a systematical investigation on the structure–electronic property relationship. The absorption maxima of the polymer films decreased from 850 to 590 nm as the thiophene moieties increased from thiophene to quaterthiophene. The optical and electrochemical band gaps of the studied poly[2,3‐didodecyl‐5‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)thieno[3,4‐b]pyrazine] ( PTHTP‐C12 ) were 0.97 and 0.78 eV, respectively, indicating a significant intramolecular charge transfer. The theoretical geometry and electronic properties of the TH ‐ TP copolymers by the density functional theory at the B3LYP level and 6‐31G(d) basis set suggested that the bond length alternation enlarged with enhancing the thiophene content and resulted in the variation on the polymer band gap. The relatively small theoretical effective mass of poly( TH ‐alt‐ TP ) also indicated its potential applications for field transistor applications. Our study demonstrates the tunable electronic properties of small band gap copolymers by the thiophene content and the resulted geometry variation. Such polymers could be potentially used for near‐infrared electronic and optoelectronic devices. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5872–5883, 2007     

Diels–Alder “Click” Chemistry in Designing Dendritic Macromolecules

Simple, versatile and green : Diels–Alder “click” chemistry is a simple, versatile and “greener” approach in the design of a diverse range of dendritic macromolecules (see scheme).

     

Poly(β‐cyclodextrin)/Curcumin Self‐Assembly: A Novel Approach to Improve Curcumin Delivery and its Therapeutic Efficacy in Prostate Cancer Cells

A novel PCD/CUR self‐assembly approach for improved curcumin delivery to prostate cancer cells is described. The formation of PCD/CUR was confirmed using FTIR, DSC, TGA, and SEM/TEM, and their stability and solubility under physiological conditions was demonstrated. A mechanism for self‐assembly is proposed. Intracellular uptake of the self‐assemblies was studied by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. The therapeutic efficacy was determined by cell proliferation and colony formation assays using C4‐2, DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells. The results suggest that the PCD/CUR formulation could be a useful system for improving curcumin delivery and its therapeutic efficacy in prostate cancer.

     

Effect of spacer chemistry on the formation and properties of linear reversible polymers

A series of four pairs of bismaleimide and bisfuran monomers were combined to make thermally reversible linear polymers. The monomers were prepared using diamines having different spacer chemistries, n‐octyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, and ethylenedioxy, such that a relatively constant spacer dimension among the four monomers was achieved. Heating of the bismaleimide/bisfuran couples resulted in low‐viscosity, easily processable liquids. Subsequent cooling to room temperature resulted in the formation of hard films, with the rate of hardening varying significantly within the series of compounds. The rate and degree of polymerization were determined using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and were both found to be dependent on the chemistry of the spacer group, as was the film rheology, which was measured using nanoindentation. Adhesion of the polymers was quantified by measurement of their tensile adhesive strength, and this was also found to be spacer dependent. Polymerization reversibility was verified using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 5056–5066     

Synthesis and polymerization of new di‐octadecyl ester derivatives of α‐hydroxymethyl acrylate: A structure‐property correlation for their copolymers with methyl methacrylate

New ether dimer (ED‐Od) and diester (ODE) derivatives of α‐hydroxymethylacrylate, each having two octadecyl side chains, were synthesized and (co)polymerized to evaluate the effects of differences in the structures of the monomers on final (co)polymer properties, particularly glass transition temperature. The free radical polymerizations of both monomers yielded high‐molecular weight polymers. Cyclopolymer formation of ED‐Od was confirmed by ¹³C NMR analysis and the cyclization efficiency (0.95 or greater) was found to be as high as the cyclization efficiencies of the cyclopolymerizations of ether dimers of various alkyl α‐hydroxymethylacrylates synthesized previously. Copolymers of both ED‐Od and ODE with methyl methacrylate (MMA) showed significant T_g decreases over PMMA due to octadecyl side groups causing “internal” plasticization. Comparison of the T_g's of the copolymers of octadecyl methacrylate, ED‐Od and ODE with MMA revealed that the impacts of these monomers on depression of T_g's are identical. That is, the magnitude of decrease in T_g's was quantitatively related to the number of the octadecyl side groups in the copolymers rather than their placement on the same or randomly incorporated repeat units. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7785–7793, 2008     

Effect of Guanidinylation on the Properties of Poly(2‐aminoethylmethacrylate)‐Based Antibacterial Materials

The effect of converting ammonium into guanidine moieties, compared to other factors such as molecular weight or hydrophobicity, on the antibacterial activity is investigated for homo‐ and copolymers of 2‐aminoethylmethacrylate in solution or coatings. Polymers are obtained by free radical polymerization, polymer‐analogous guanidinylation is conducted with cyanamide; non‐leaching immobilization is achieved by LBL assembly of homopolymers or crosslinking of functional sidegroups in copolymers. Antibacterial activity to Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis is determined by different standard methods. Guanidinylation improves antibacterial activity and speed as well as cytotoxicity of hydrophilic homo‐ and copolymers in solution or coatings.

     

Toward low‐band gap dithienophosphole copolymers for an application in organic solar cells

Two functionalized dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]phospholes with solubilizing groups have been synthesized that allow for the generation of a series of π‐conjugated AB‐ and ABC‐copolymers. The polymers obtained show notable optoelectronic properties with red‐shifted absorption and emission in the orange to red section of the optical solar spectrum. Although combination of dithienophosphole units with fluorene building blocks gives access to processable polymers with band gaps between 2.2 and 2.3 eV in solution and 2.0 eV in the solid state, an ABC copolymer based on dithienophosphole, fluorene, and bis(thienyl)benzothiadiazole units was found to not only exhibit a suitable band gap for solar cell applications (solution: 2.0 eV; solid state: 1.7 eV) but also showed good solubility as well as good electron transfer properties in the presence of fullerene (C₆₀). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 8179–8190, 2008     

Synthesis and characterization of polythiophene derivatives with nitrogen heterocycles on the side chain

The Grignard metathesis reaction of 2,5‐dibromo‐3‐(5′‐hexylpyridine‐2′‐yl)thiophene ( M1 ) with i‐PrMgCl afforded 5‐bromo‐2‐chloromagnesio‐3‐(5′‐hexylpyridine‐2′‐yl)thiophene ( GM1 ) in the 86% selectivity. The Kumada coupling polymerization by Ni(dppp)Cl₂ gave poly M1 having the roughly controlled molecular weight between 6700 and 23,400. The characterization using the gel permeation chromatographic and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectra indicated the diffusion of the nickel catalyst from the propagating end. Based on the GC and ¹H NMR spectra, the head‐to‐tail content of poly M1 was calculated to be 89%. The regioselective Grignard metathesis reactions of 5,5′‐dibromo‐4‐(5″‐hexylpyridine‐2″‐yl)‐2,2′‐bithiophene ( M2 ) and 5,5′‐dibromo‐4‐(5″‐hexylpyrimidine‐2″‐yl)‐2,2′‐bithiophene ( M3 ) also occurred at the ortho‐position of the nitrogen heterocycle. The Kumada coupling polymerizations gave poly M2 and poly M3 having the head‐to‐tail content of 75% and 85%, respectively. The UV–vis spectra of polymers suggested that the polymer conformation becomes more planar in the order of poly M1 < poly M3 < poly M2 , which was investigated by the theoretical calculation of the model oligomers. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2166–2174     

Synthesis and thermoresponsive properties of OEGylated polypeptide with a LCST at body temperature in water and with a UCST in alcohol or ethanol/water solvent mixture

Thermoresponsive polypeptides bearing oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) pendants (i.e., P1‐OEG_x and P2‐OEG_x, x = 3, 7) were synthesized by copper‐mediated 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition with high grafting efficiency (≥97%) between side‐chain “clickable” polypeptides, namely poly(γ‐4‐(propargoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐l ‐glutamate) (P1) or poly(γ‐4‐(4‐propargoxyphenoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐l ‐glutamate) (P2) and azido functionalized OEG (N₃‐OEG_x). P1 and P2 with similar degree of polymerization (DP = 35 or 37) were prepared from triethylamine initiated ring‐opening polymerization of respective N‐carboxyanhydrides. P1‐OEG_x (x = 3, 7) and P2‐OEG₇ showed reversible UCST‐type phase transitions in various alcoholic solvents (e.g., ethanol, propanol, n‐butanol, and n‐pentanol). P2‐OEG₃ also showed reversible UCST‐type phase transitions in ethanol/water solvent mixtures at the weight percentage of ethanol no less than 50 wt %. P1‐OEG₇ and P2‐OEG₇ showed reversible LCST‐type phase transitions in aqueous solutions. Variable‐temperature UV–vis spectroscopy revealed that the LCST‐type phase transition temperature (T_pt) of P2‐OEG₇ with benzoic acid phenyl ester linkages was at around body temperature and it was barely changed with the variation of polymer concentration, yet it showed noticeable dependence on the nature of salt (i.e., NaCl, NaBr, NaI, or KCl) and salt concentration in the range of 0–300 mM. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 163–173     

Synthesis and UCST‐type phase behaviors of OEGylated random copolypeptides in alcoholic solvents

A series of OEGylated random copolypeptides with similar main‐chain lengths and different oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) molar content and chain lengths were prepared from triethylamine initiated ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of OEGylated γ‐benzyl‐_L‐glutamic acid based N‐carboxyanhydride (OEG_mBLG–NCA, m = 2, 3) and γ‐benzyl‐_L‐glutamic acid based N‐carboxyanhydride (BLG–NCA). ¹H NMR analysis verified copolypeptides structures and determined the OEG molar content (x). FTIR analysis further confirmed the molecular structures, indicated α‐helical conformations of copolypeptides in the solid‐state, and revealed H‐bonding interactions between OEG pendants and alcoholic solvents. The copolypeptides exhibited a reversible upper critical solution temperature (UCST)‐type phase behavior in various alcoholic solvents (i.e., methanol, ethanol, 1‐propanol, 1‐butanol, and 1‐pentanol) depending on the x values and OEG side‐chain lengths (m). Variable‐temperature UV–vis analysis revealed that the UCST‐type transition temperatures (T_pts) of the copolypeptides in alcohols decreased as x or m value increased or as polymer concentration decreased. T_pts of copolypeptides with high x values (x ≥ 0.50) increased as the number of methylene of the alcoholic solvent increased from 3 (i.e., 1‐propanol) to 5 (i.e., 1‐pentanol). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3444–3453     

Synthesis,characterization, and applications in photovoltaic cells of oxetane‐functionalized P3HT derivatives

Several crosslinkable oxetane‐functionalized copolymers, containing regio‐regular segments of 3‐hexylthiophene, are synthesized using the Grignard metathesis polymerization. The optical and electrochemical properties of the new polymers, both in the soluble and crosslinked forms, are reported. These polymers are used in the preparation of organic photovoltaics upon blending with PCBM as electron‐acceptor. The effect of the crosslinking of these copolymers, once the blend films are formed, on the devices performance is also studied. In particular, the insertion of the oxetane‐functionalized thiophene comonomers leads to a decrease of the devices performance, which is further decreased upon crosslinking of the copolymer. However, the stability of the devices overall improves upon crosslinking of the copolymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 652–663     

The Role of Synthetic Pharmaceutical Polymer Excipients in Oral Dosage Forms – Poly(ethylene oxide)-graft-poly(vinyl alcohol) Copolymers in Tablet Coatings

A number of tablet coatings are available to provide a controlled release of pharmaceutically active compounds in the stomach or intestine using both instant or sustained released systems. The preferred properties of these tablet coatings are a low solution viscosity (preferable in water) combined with a phase separated morphology, showing good mechanical properties. PEO-g-PVAl copolymers have been developed as an instant-release tablet coating, and were obtained via a conventional radical polymerisation of VAc in the presence of PEO. No free PEO was observed in the PEO-g-PVAl copolymers 1f and 1i using 2D LCCC-SEC and MALDI-TOF analysis. Next to the requirement of being PEO free, the PEO-g-PVAl copolymers show a good combination of film forming properties, a fast dissolution and a low solution viscosity in water. The phase separated morphology, as demonstrated by TEM, DSC, DMTA, and WAXS experiments, should provide the PEO-g-PVAl copolymers with relatively constant mechanical properties. A model reaction, using 2-methoxyethyl-ether and 1,4,7,10-tetraoxacyclododecane, has been developed to imitate the grafting reaction of VAc on PEO. Using this model reaction and using the same reaction conditions (temperature, initiator, concentration, VAc:“PEO” ratio, etc.) as applied in the PEO-g-PVAl polymerisation procedure, a degree of grafting for PEO of 13±3% was found. Comparing this figure with the results of LCCC-SEC and MALDI-TOF measurements, this figure seems a few percent too high, pointing to a slightly increased reactivity of the two model compounds compared to the PEO used.     

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     

树枝形聚合物在光化学中的研究进展

树枝形聚合物由于其特殊结构所表现出来的性质在光化学中有着广泛的应用前景,近 20年来,树枝形聚合物在光化学中的研究也取得了很大的进展.本文主要从位点分离和光捕获两个方面对近年来的研究结果进行了总结.