Preparation of Well‐Defined Diblock Copolymers with Short Polypeptide Segments by Polymerization of N‐Carboxy Anhydrides

Summary: The ring‐opening polymerization of N‐carboxy anhydrides (NCA) of γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate and β‐benzyl‐L ‐aspartate was studied in the presence of an ammonium chloride‐functionalized poly(ethylene oxide) macroinitiator, which possibly prevents side reactions such as NCA deprotonation. Although polymerization initiated by such macroinitiators was found to be quite slow, well‐defined conjugates of poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate) and poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(β‐benzyl‐L ‐aspartate) with polydispersity indexes as low as 1.05 were prepared. Moreover, the presence of ammonium chloride chain ends significantly prevented end‐group cyclization of poly(γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate) after polymerization.

Gel permeation chromatograms recorded for the diblock copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate) prepared by N‐carboxy anhydride polymerization initiated either by PEO‐NH₂ macroinitiator or PEO‐NHequation/tex2gif-stack-1.gifCl⁻ macroinitiator.     

One‐Pot Glovebox‐Free Synthesis,Characterization, and Self‐Assembly of Novel Amphiphilic Poly(Sarcosine‐b‐Caprolactone) Diblock Copolymers

Novel amphiphilic polypeptoid‐polyester diblock copolymers based on poly(sarcosine) (PSar) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) are synthesized by a one‐pot glovebox‐free approach. In this method, sarcosine N‐carboxy anhydride (Sar‐NCA) is firstly polymerized in the presence of benzylamine under N₂ flow, then the resulting poly(sarcosine) is used in situ as the macro­initiator for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone using tin(II) octanoate as a catalyst. The degree of poly­merization of each block is controlled by various feed ratios of monomer/initiator. The diblock copolymers with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distributions (Đ_M < 1.2) are characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and size‐exclusion chromatography. The self‐assembly behavior of PSar‐b‐PCL in water is investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy. DLS results reveal that the diblock copolymers associate into nanoparticles with average hydrodynamic diameters (D_H) around 100 nm in water, which may be used as drug delivery carriers.

     

Functionalized PEG‐b‐PAGE‐b‐PLGA triblock terpolymers as materials for nanoparticle preparation

A series of poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(allyl glycidyl ether) (PEG‐b‐PAGE) macroinitiators are prepared using the living anionic ring‐opening polymerization (AROP) technique, and applied for further copolymerization studies. To overcome the low reactivity of the secondary hydroxyl end‐group of the PAGE block, a primary hydroxyl group is introduced into the macroinitiators via trityl and tert‐butyl‐dimethylsilane protective groups. The modified macroinitiators are used for copolymerization by applying different amounts of PEG‐b‐PAGE (5, 10, and 15%) and different PLGA lengths. To study their properties, nanoparticles from selected polymers are prepared and characterized by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy showing spherical particles with diameters around 200 nm and low PDI_particle values of 0.03–0.1. An advantage of the obtained polymers is the presence of double bonds in the side chain, which enables the modification via, for example, thiol‐ene reactions. For this purpose tertiary 2‐(dimethylamino)ethanethiol), acetylated thiogalactose and thiomannose are attached onto the double bonds of the PAGE‐blocks. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2163–2174     

Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Double‐Crystalline Poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane)‐block‐poly(2‐iso‐propyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PFDMS‐b‐PiPrOx) Block Copolymers

The step‐wise solution self‐assembly of double crystalline organometallic poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane)‐block‐poly(2‐iso‐propyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PFDMS‐b‐PiPrOx) diblock copolymers is demonstrated. Two block copolymers are obtained by copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), featuring PFDMS/PiPrOx weight fractions of 46/54 (PFDMS₃₀‐b‐PiPrOx₇₅) and 30/70 (PFDMS₃₀‐b‐PiPrOx₁₅₅). Nonsolvent induced crystallization of PFDMS in acetone leads in both cases to cylindrical micelles with a PFDMS core. Afterward, the structures are transferred into water for sequential temperature‐induced crystallization of the PiPrOx corona, leading to hierarchical double crystalline superstructures, which are investigated using scanning electron microscopy, wide angle X‐ray scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry.

     

Hairy PEO‐Silica Nanoparticles through Surface‐Initiated Polymerization of Ethylene Oxide

Summary: The grafting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) onto silica nanoparticles was performed in situ by the ring‐opening polymerization of the oxirane monomer initiated from the mineral surface using aluminium isopropoxide as an initiator/heterogeneous catalyst. Alcohol groups were first introduced onto silica by reacting the surfacic silanols with prehydrolyzed 3‐glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane. The alcohol‐grafted silica played the role of a coinitiator/chain‐transfer agent in the polymerization reaction and enabled the formation of irreversibly bonded polymer chains. Silica nanoparticles containing up to 40 wt.‐% of a hairy layer of grafted PEO chains were successfully produced by this technique.

The grafting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) onto silica nanoparticles by in‐situ ring‐opening polymerization of the oxirane monomer.     

Highly Ordered Structure Formation in RAFT‐Synthesized PtBOS‐b‐P4VP Diblock Copolymers

Linear poly(4‐tert‐butoxystyrene)‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PtBOS‐b‐P4VP) diblock copolymers are synthesized using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The self‐assembly of four different PtBOS‐b‐P4VP diblock copolymers is studied using small‐angle X‐ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy and a number of interesting observations are made. A tBOS₆₂‐b‐4VP₂₈ diblock copolymer with a weight fraction P4VP of 0.21 shows a disordered morphology of P4VP spheres with liquid‐like short‐range order despite an estimated value of of the order of 50. Increasing the length of the 4VP block to tBOS₆₂‐b‐4VP₁₉₉ results in a diblock copolymer with a weight fraction P4VP of 0.66. It forms a remarkably well‐ordered lamellar structure. Likewise, a tBOS₁₄₆‐b‐4VP₁₂₀ diblock copolymer with a weight fraction P4VP of 0.33 forms an extremely well‐ordered hexagonal structure of P4VP cylinders. Increasing the P4VP block of this block copolymer to tBOS₁₄₆‐b‐4VP₁₉₀ with a weight fraction P4VP of 0.44 results in a bicontinuous gyroid morphology despite the estimated strong segregation of . These results are discussed in terms of the architectural dissimilarity of the two monomers, characterized by the presence of the large side group of PtBOS, and the previously reported value of the interaction parameter, , for this polymer pair.

     

N‐Heterocyclic Olefins as Organocatalysts for Polymerization: Preparation of Well‐Defined Poly(propylene oxide)

The metal‐free polymerization of propylene oxide (PO) using a special class of alkene—N‐heterocyclic olefins (NHOs)—as catalysts is described. Manipulation of the chemical structure of the NHO organocatalyst allows for the preparation of the poly(propylene oxide) in high yields with high turnover (TON>2000), which renders this the most active metal‐free system for the polymerization of PO reported to date. The resulting polyether displays predictable end groups, molar mass, and a low dispersity (?_M<1.09). NHOs with an unsaturated backbone are essential for polymerization to occur, while substitution at the exocyclic carbon atom has an impact on the reaction pathway and ensures the suppression of side reactions.     

N‐heterocyclic carbenes as organocatalysts in controlled/living ring‐opening polymerization of O‐carboxyanhydrides derived from l‐lactic acid and l‐mandelic acid

An organocatalytic approach to controlled/living ring‐opening polymerizations (ROPs) of O‐carboxyanhydrides (OCAs) using N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) as nucleophilic catalysts has been investigated. NHCs with different structures were used in order to compare the catalytic performances in the ROP of OCA of l ‐lactic acid. ¹H NMR, SEC, and MALDI‐TOF MS measurements of the products clearly indicated a controlled/living manner of the polymerization. The controlled/living nature was further confirmed by kinetic and chain extension experiments. Additionally, polylol initiators were used to produce α,ω‐dihydroxy telechelic, 3‐, and 4‐armed star‐shaped polymers. Moreover, star‐shaped diblock copolymer, bearing methyl and phenyl side groups, has been successfully synthesized with OCA/NHC system. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 . 52, 2306–2315     

Block Copolypeptides Prepared by N‐Carboxyanhydride Ring‐Opening Polymerization

N‐Carboxyanhydride ring‐opening polymerization (NCA ROP) is a synthetically straightforward methodology to generate homopolypeptides. Extensive control over the polymerization permits the production of highly monodisperse synthetic polypeptides to a targeted molecular weight in the absence of unfavorable side reactions. Sequential NCA ROP permits the creation of block copolypeptides composed of individual polypeptide blocks boasting different functionalities, secondary structures, and desirable chemical properties. Consequently, a plethora of novel materials have been generated that have found wide‐range applicability. This review offers an insight into contemporary synthetic approaches toward NCA ROP before highlighting a number of block copolypeptide architectures generated.     

Polyglycidol Based Amphiphilic Double‐Comb Copolymers and Their Self‐Association in Aqueous Solution

Herein, we report synthesis and self‐association properties of amphiphilic double‐comb polymers with polyglycidol backbones. First, a bifunctional polyglycidol precursor is synthesized via monomer activated anionic polymerization. Next, two efficient and orthogonal polymer analogous reactions are carried out for grafting hydrophilic oligoethylene glycol side chains and hydrophobic linear aliphatic side‐chains. The polymers are analyzed by means of NMR, GPC, and DSC. From the DSC analysis of the bulk samples it is evident that aliphatic side chains segregate from the polar backbone and thus crystallize. Furthermore, in aqueous media the double‐comb polymers spontaneously self‐assemble to form a multilayer structure. The present results pave a way to tailor and design amphiphilic polymers based on glycidols. Major advantages are spontaneous self‐assembly in water and the possibility to form onion polymersomes relevant to encapsulation.

     

Synthesis and characterization of block copolymers by metal‐ and solvent‐free ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic carbonates initiated from PEG‐based surfactants

Ring‐opening polymerizations of trimethylene carbonate (TC) and 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) are initiated from hydroxyl‐terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG) and PEG‐based surfactants (Triton X‐100 or Triton X‐405) in the absence of any catalysts. The metal‐ and solvent‐free polymerizations proceed under melt at 150 °C, affording Triton X‐100‐block‐poly(TC) with M_n of 1400–5200 and Triton X‐100‐block‐poly(DTC) with M_n of 1800–7100 in excellent yields. The molecular weights and the comonomer composition of the resulting copolymers are controlled by the feed ratios of the monomers to the initiators, confirmed by gel permeation chromatography and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The solubilities of the block copolymers composed of hydrophilic PEG segment and hydrophobic poly(TC) or poly(DTC) segment depend on both the compositions and the components. For example, Triton X‐100‐block‐poly (TC) (TC/EG = 9.5/9.5) and Triton X‐405‐block‐poly(TC) (TC/EG = 28/40, 46/40) milky suspend in water, while Triton X‐405‐block‐poly(TC) (TC/EG = 9.7/40) dissolves in water. A dynamic light scattering study reveals that the particle distribution of a copolymer, Triton X‐405‐block‐poly(TC) (TC/EG = 9.7/40) in water, has a monodisperse unimodal pattern ranging from 92 to 368 nm. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1985–1996, 2006     

Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymers using a Fluorescently Labeled N‐Alkoxyamine Initiator

Summary: An initiator for nitroxide mediated ‘living’ free radical polymerization was prepared with a fluorescent tag attached to the initiating alkyl radical terminus. This was used to synthesize amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid)‐block‐polystyrene diblock copolymers, which self assembled in a tetrahydrofuran/buffer solution to form structures that are visible by fluorescence.

     

Amphiphilic Block‐Graft Copolymers Poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐(polycarbonates‐g‐palmitate) Prepared via the Combination of Ring‐Opening Polymerization and Click Chemistry

Amphiphilic block‐graft copolymers mPEG‐b‐P(DTC‐ADTC‐g‐Pal) were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) and 2,2‐bis(azidomethyl)trimethylene carbonate (ADTC) with poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (mPEG) as an initiator, followed by the click reaction of propargyl palmitate and the pendant azido groups on the polymer chains. Stable micelle solutions of the amphiphilic block‐graft copolymers could be prepared by adding water to a THF solution of the polymer followed by the removal of the organic solvent by dialysis. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed that the micelles had a narrow size distribution. Transmission electron microscopy images displayed that the micelles were in spherical shape. The grafted structure could enhance the interaction of polymer chains with drug molecules and improve the drug‐loading capacity and entrapment efficiency. Further, the amphiphilic block‐graft copolymers mPEG‐b‐P(DTC‐ADTC‐g‐Pal) were low cytotoxic and had more sustained drug release behavior. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Amine‐Reactive Polymers Synthesized by RAFT Polymerization Using an Azlactone Functional Trithiocarbonate RAFT Agent

A new azlactone‐derived trithiocarbonate is prepared and used as a chain‐transfer agent to mediate the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene, ethyl acrylate, and N‐isopropyl acrylamide. Well‐defined polymers with controlled molecular weights (M _n = 1000–7000 g mol⁻¹) and narrow molecular weight distributions (PDI = 1.05–1.10) are thus obtained that retain the azlactone functionality at the chain end. The ability of the resulting end‐functionalized polymers to react quantitatively at room temperature with a stoichiometric amount of amino groups with retention of the thiocarbonylthio moiety is ascertained by using 4‐fluorobenzylamine and allylamine.     

The Synthesis of Magnetic Core‐Shell Nanoparticles by Surface‐Initiated Ring‐Opening Polymerization of ε‐Caprolactone

Summary: The synthesis of core‐shell particles with a poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) shell and magnetite (Fe₃O₄) contents of between 10 wt.‐% and 41 wt.‐% proceeds by surface‐initiated ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone to give surface‐immobilized oligomers with between 1 400 g · mol⁻¹ and 11 500 g · mol⁻¹. The particles are dispersable in good solvents for the PCL shell. Magnetization experiments on the resulting superparamagnetic ferrofluids give a core‐size distribution with an average diameter, d_v, of about 9.7 nm.

TEM image of Fe₃O₄/PCL core‐shell particles cast from CHCl₃ dispersion.     

Formation of Silica/Poly(p‐dioxanone) Microspheres by Surface‐Initiated Polymerization

A polymeric film of a biodegradable poly(p‐dioxanone) was grown from 490 nm silica particles by monolayer formation via self‐assembly of hydroxy‐terminated triethoxysilane and subsequent surface‐initiated ring‐opening polymerization of p‐dioxanone. The resulting silica/poly(p‐dioxanone) hybrid particles were characterized by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy.

     

Two‐Step Backbiting Reaction in the Ring‐Opening Polymerization of γ‐Acryloyloxy‐ε‐caprolactone Initiated with Aluminium Isopropoxide

γ‐Acryloyloxyethyl‐γ‐butyrolactone is formed as a byproduct when the polymerization of γ‐acryloyloxy‐ε‐caprolactone is initiated with aluminium isopropoxide in toluene. The extent of this side reaction decreases with decreasing temperature and is dependent on whether the reaction is stopped as soon as monomer conversion is complete or not. A two‐step backbiting mechanism is proposed for this intramolecular transesterification reaction.     

Experimentally facile controlled polymerization of N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), including O‐benzyl‐L‐threonine NCA

It is demonstrated here that three different α‐amino N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), including for the first time O‐benzyl‐L ‐threonine NCA, can be polymerized in a controlled/“living” fashion without the need for transition metal catalysts or complex custom‐made glassware. Homopolymerizations in tetrahydrofuran gave monomodal distributions, high conversions, predictable M_n values and displayed first‐order kinetics. Chain extension experiments from poly(benzyl‐L ‐threonine), using N,N‐dimethylacetamide to avoid the formation of insoluble β‐sheets, was used to create a range of block copolypeptides of controlled structure. Monomodal molecular weight distributions are observed throughout and molecular weights agree well with predicted values, although polydispersities are generally higher than those observed using more experimentally challenging techniques. This method therefore represents a practical approach to the synthesis of well‐defined polypeptides without the requirement for specialized glassware or glove‐box techniques. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2882–2891, 2009     

Synergistic interaction of epoxides and N‐vinylcarbazole during photoinitiated cationic polymerization

A kinetic study was conducted of the independent photoinitiated cationic polymerization of a number of epoxide monomers and mixtures of these monomers with N‐vinylcarbazole. The results show that these two different classes of monomers undergo complex synergistic interactions with one another during polymerization. It was demonstrated that N‐vinylcarbazole as well as other carbazoles are efficient photosensitizers for the photolysis of both diaryliodonium and triarylsulfonium salt photoinitiators. In the presence of large amounts of N‐vinylcarbazole, the rates of the cationic ring‐opening photopolymerization of epoxides are markedly accelerated. This effect has been ascribed to a photoinitiated free‐radical chain reaction that results in the oxidation of monomeric and polymeric N‐vinylcarbazole radicals by the onium salt photoinitiators to generate cations. These cations can initiate the ring‐opening polymerization of the epoxides, leading to the production of copolymers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3697–3709, 2000     

Facile Access to Hydroxy‐Functional Core–Shell Microspheres via Grafting of Ethylene Oxide by Anionic Ring‐Opening Polymerization

We present a facile access route to hydroxy‐functional narrow disperse microspheres of well‐defined grafting density (GD). Ethylene oxide has been grafted from highly crosslinked poly(divinyl benzene) microspheres by anionic ring‐opening polymerization using sec‐butyllithium as activator together with the phosphazene base t‐BuP₄. Initially, core microspheres have been prepared by precipitation polymerization utilizing divinyl benzene (DVB, 80 wt.‐%). The grafting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) from the surface resulted in the formation of functional core–shell microspheres with hydroxy‐terminal end groups. The number average particle diameter of the grafted microspheres was 3.6 µm and the particle weight increased by 5.7%. The microspheres were characterized by SEM, FT‐IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and fluorescence microscopy. The surface GD (determined via two methods) was 1.65 ± 0.06 and 2.09 ± 0.08 chains · nm⁻², respectively.