Synthesis of Amphiphilic ABC Triblock Copolymers with PEO as the Middle Block

Summary: Stepwise anionic polymerization, catalytic hydrogenation, and atom transfer radical polymerization were performed to synthesize an amphiphilic ABC triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene‐alt‐propylene)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(hexyl methacrylate) (PEP‐b‐PEO‐b‐PHMA), with hydrophilic PEO as the middle block. The resulting block copolymers have well‐defined molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions as revealed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography.

GPC chromatograms of an ABC triblock copolymer, PEP‐b‐PEO‐b‐PHMA, and its intermediate precursors exhibiting narrow polydispersities.     

New Curable Propylene Copolymers Containing Tert‐Butoxysilane Side Groups

In this work, new, crosslinkable copolymers from propylene and di‐tert‐butoxy(methyl)(oct‐7‐enyl)silane are presented. The silane‐functionalized monomer is obtained by hydrosilylation of 1,7‐octadiene with dichloromethylsilane, followed by the substitution of the chloro atoms by tert‐butoxy groups. Homopolymerization and copolymerization with propylene are performed using rac‐[ethylenebis(indenyl)]zirconium dichloride. The tert‐butoxysilane groups are easily cleaved by acid‐catalyzed processes. The resulting copolymer can be completely crosslinked via the tert‐butoxysilane functionality to obtain insoluble polymeric material and the gel content of the polymers with different silane content is determined. This method allows control of the copolymer composition and thus of the subsequent extent of crosslinking.     

Fluorinated Amphiphilic Block Copolymers: Combining Anionic Polymerization and Selective Polymer Modification

We report the preparation of novel fluorinated block copolymers using a two-step modification sequence. We first prepared model polyisoprene-poly-tert-butylmethacrylate block copolymers by anionic polymerization. Exposing these materials to difluorocarbene (generated by the thermolysis of hexafluoropropylene oxide) resulted in modification of the polyisoprene block to the corresponding difluorocyclopropane repeating unit without compromising the integrity of the poly-tert-butylmethacrylate block. Hydrolysis of the difluorocarbene-modified materials gave the corresponding difluorocarbene-modified polyisoprene-polymethacrylic acid diblock copolymers. These amphiphilic materials are expected to exhibit interesting self-assembly behavior in aqueous solution.     

Consequences of Block Sequence on the Orthogonal Folding of Triblock Copolymers

ABA‐ and BAB‐type triblock copolymers possessing pendant, self‐assembling motifs in the A and B blocks were synthesized, with 2‐ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) and benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamide (BTA) for the A and B block, respectively. They were investigated to assess if and how the polymer’s microstructure influences the self‐assembly behavior of the supramolecular motifs and, as a result, the single‐chain folding process. BAB‐type triblock copolymers were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with molecular weights ranging from 30 to 120 kg mol^?1; the BTA and UPy motifs were attached using a post‐functionalization approach. The ABA‐type triblock copolymers were available from previous work. In highly dilute solutions, both types of triblock copolymers fold into single‐chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) via thermally induced BTA self‐assembly and photo‐triggered UPy dimerization. Chain collapse induced by intramolecular UPy dimerization was evaluated using size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC). The BTA self‐assembly was monitored by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The microstructures of SCPNs were visualized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). SEC analysis indicated a more loose packing for the BAB‐type folded nanoparticles than for the ABA‐type ones, which implies that topological differences in the polymer architecture do affect the folding behavior, although only slightly. The facile synthetic protocol developed here provides topologically different triblock architectures and opens up the area for single‐chain folding technology that is applicable in artificial enzymatic systems with compartmentalized domains.     

双亲三嵌段共聚物PEO-PPO-PEO在水溶液中相行为的理论研究

用自洽平均场理论的谱方法研究了双亲三嵌段共聚物PEO-PPO-PEO的分子量对其在水溶液相行为的影响. 理论预测了各种溶致液晶相的稳定区域. 通过系统地改变聚合物的分子量, 我们给出了各种PEO-PPO-PEO三嵌段共聚物在水溶液中的相图. 此外, 也研究了分子量对自组装结构各组分浓度分布的影响. 发现在给定的温度下, 聚合物的分子量是体系发生相分离的一个重要驱动力. 我们的理论结果与相关的实验很好地符合.     

基于温敏性双亲嵌段共聚物的纳米胶束作为药物载体的研究

温度敏感性双亲嵌段共聚物由于其潜在的应用价值而引起广泛的关注。在药物控制释放领域,基于温敏性嵌段共聚物的纳米胶束作为药物载体显示了诸多特异的性能。在嵌段共聚物中引入具有温度敏感性的链段,使聚合物胶束具备天然被动靶向功能的同时,赋予了其主动靶向给药功能。本文从温度敏感性双亲嵌段共聚物的分子设计、合成、自组装性质和胶束的载药释药行为等方面进行了相关总结。重点介绍了含聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺链段双亲嵌段共聚物的相关研究进展。     

Monte Carlo Simulation of Ethylene Copolymers: A Look into the Monomer Sequence Distribution

A comprehensive mathematical model was developed using Monte Carlo simulation to describe the mechanism of ethylene and α-olefin copolymerization. The model studies the polymerization mechanism using coordination catalysts and is able to predict molecular weight and detailed chemical composition distributions. This work is considered to be a useful tool that enables us to understand and described the monomer sequence distribution as a function of chain length in semi-batch polymerization reactors.     

Novel Amphiphilic Block Copolymers for the Formation of Stimuli-Responsive Non-Lamellar Lipid Nanoparticles

Non-lamellar lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) lipid nanoparticles contain internal multidimensional nanostructures such as the inverse bicontinuous cubic and the inverse hexagonal mesophases, which can respond to external stimuli and have the potential of controlling drug release. To date, the internal LLC mesophase responsiveness of these lipid nanoparticles is largely achieved by adding ionizable small molecules to the parent lipid such as monoolein (MO), the mixture of which is then dispersed into nanoparticle suspensions by commercially available poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide) block copolymers. In this study, the Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) technique was used to synthesize a series of novel amphiphilic block copolymers (ABCs) containing a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block, a hydrophobic block and one or two responsive blocks, i.e., poly(4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzyl acrylate) (PTBA) and/or poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA). High throughput small angle X-ray scattering studies demonstrated that the synthesized ABCs could simultaneously stabilize a range of LLC MO nanoparticles (vesicles, cubosomes, hexosomes, inverse micelles) and provide internal particle nanostructure responsiveness to changes of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentrations, pH and temperature. It was found that the novel functional ABCs can substitute for the commercial polymer stabilizer and the ionizable additive in the formation of next generation non-lamellar lipid nanoparticles. These novel formulations have the potential to control drug release in the tumor microenvironment with endogenous H₂O₂ and acidic pH conditions.     

Biodegradable Self‐Assembled Nanoparticles of Galactose‐Containing Amphiphilic Triblock Copolymers for Targeted Delivery of Paclitaxel to HepG2 Cells

Biodegradable self‐assembled polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) composed of poly(6‐O‐methacryloyl‐D‐galactopyranose)‐b‐poly(L‐lactide)‐b‐poly(6‐O‐methacryloyl‐D‐galactopyranose) (PMAGP‐b‐PLA‐b‐PMAGP) are prepared as carriers for the hydrophobic anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX), to achieve target delivery to hepatoma cells. PTX can be encapsulated by the NPs with various molar ratios of L‐lactide (LA) and 6‐O‐methacryloyl‐D‐galactopyranose (MAGP) during the process of self‐assembly, and the resulting NPs exhibit high drug loading efficacy and substantial stability in aqueous solution. The size, size distribution, and morphology of the NPs are characterized using a Zetasizer Nano ZS and transmission electron microscopy. The hemolysis assay and cell cytotoxicity assay indicate that the polymeric NPs are biocompatible and non‐toxic. The cellular uptake assay demonstrates that the galactose‐containing NPs can be selectively recognized and subsequently accumulate in HepG2 cells. All of these results demonstrate that galactose‐containing polymeric NPs are potential carriers for hepatoma‐targeted drug delivery and liver cancer therapy in clinical medicine.

     

中间嵌段为亲水性的BAB型三嵌段共聚物水溶液中初级聚集体的二次聚集行为研究

采用TEM和AFM研究了PS(聚苯乙烯)₄₃-b-PEO(聚氧乙烯)₄₅-b-PS₄₃和PS₃₉-b-P4VP(聚4-乙烯基吡啶)₉₈-b-PS₃₉三嵌段共聚物在水介质中的球形胶束、囊泡和蠕虫状胶束之间的二次聚集行为.实验发现,初级聚集体的二次聚集具有不同的复杂程度.对称性的初级聚集体,如球形胶束和囊泡,其二次聚集表现出球形对称性;而非对称性初级聚集体(如蠕虫状胶束)二次聚集开始倾向于非对称性.BAB型的嵌段设计有利于初级聚集体的二次聚集发生.     

聚丙烯熔融接枝马来酸酐反应机理的研究

改变聚丙烯（PP）熔融接枝马来酸酐（MAH）反应中的单体和引发剂的浓度以及添加适当助剂,考察了接枝产物的接枝率和恒定剪切应力（600kPa)及温度（210℃）下的剪切粘度,验证了作先前所提出的PP熔融接枝MAH的反应机理。即：在PP熔融接枝MAH的过程中,过氧化物自由基在熔融接枝过程中直接引发MAH单体及MAH单体在聚丙烯的大分子链段发生β断裂前直接被其引发而产生的接枝反应是影响产物的接枝率和分子量的关键。在不改变单体和引发剂浓度的情况下,降低过氧化物自由基在熔融接枝过程中直接引发MAH单体反应的程度而提高聚丙烯的大分子自由基直接引发MAH单体的反应趋势,是提高接枝产物接枝率和分子量的有效途径。     

不同改性剂对聚丙烯/碳酸钙复合材料性能的影响

以马来酸酐(MAH)、聚丙烯蜡(PPW)为主要原料,采用原位固相接枝改性法制得PP/CaCO3-MAH-PPW复合材料,并与添加相容剂聚丙烯接枝马来酸酐(PP-g-MAH)所制得的PP/PP-g-MAH/CaCO3复合材料进行比较。结果表明,CaCO3良好的分散性及其与PP基体适宜的界面粘接是复合材料具有较好韧性的关键因素。与PP/PP-g-MAH/CaCO3复合材料相比,PP/CaCO3-MAH-PPW复合材料表现出更佳的冲击、弯曲和加工性能,当m(PP)∶m(CaCO3)=100∶20时,材料缺口冲击强度达到最大值,是基体树脂的1.19倍。     

Quadruple Hydrogen Bond-Containing A-AB-A Triblock Copolymers: Probing the Influence of Hydrogen Bonding in the Central Block

This work reveals the influence of pendant hydrogen bonding strength and distribution on self-assembly and the resulting thermomechanical properties of A-AB-A triblock copolymers. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization afforded a library of A-AB-A acrylic triblock copolymers, wherein the A unit contained cytosine acrylate (CyA) or post-functionalized ureido cytosine acrylate (UCyA) and the B unit consisted of n-butyl acrylate (nBA). Differential scanning calorimetry revealed two glass transition temperatures, suggesting microphase-separation in the A-AB-A triblock copolymers. Thermomechanical and morphological analysis revealed the effects of hydrogen bonding distribution and strength on the self-assembly and microphase-separated morphology. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed multiple tan delta (δ) transitions that correlated to chain relaxation and hydrogen bonding dissociation, further confirming the microphase-separated structure. In addition, UCyA triblock copolymers possessed an extended modulus plateau versus temperature compared to the CyA analogs due to the stronger association of quadruple hydrogen bonding. CyA triblock copolymers exhibited a cylindrical microphase-separated morphology according to small-angle X-ray scattering. In contrast, UCyA triblock copolymers lacked long-range ordering due to hydrogen bonding induced phase mixing. The incorporation of UCyA into the soft central block resulted in improved tensile strength, extensibility, and toughness compared to the AB random copolymer and A-B-A triblock copolymer comparisons. This study provides insight into the structure-property relationships of A-AB-A supramolecular triblock copolymers that result from tunable association strengths.     

Olefin Polymerization Catalyzed by Double‐Decker Dipalladium Complexes: Low Branched Poly(α‐Olefin)s by Selective Insertion of the Monomer Molecule

Dipalladium complexes of a cyclic bis(diimine) ligand with a double‐decker structure catalyze polymerization of ethylene and α‐olefins and copolymerization of ethylene with 1‐hexene. The polymerization of 1‐hexene yields a polymer that is mainly composed of the hexamethylene unit formed by 2,1‐insertion of the monomer into the palladium–carbon bond, followed by chain‐walking (6,1‐insertion). The polymerization of 4‐methyl‐1‐pentene proceeds by 2,1‐insertion with a selectivity of 92–97 %, and affords the polymer with methyl and 2‐methylhexyl branches. 2,1‐Insertion occurs selectively in all of the polymerization reactions of α‐olefins catalyzed by the dipalladium complexes. Ethylene polymerization with the catalyst at 100 °C lasts over 24 h, whereas the monopalladium–diimine catalyst loses its activity within 8 h at 60 °C. Polyethylene obtained by the dipalladium catalyst is less‐branched and has a higher molecular weight compared to that of the monopalladium catalyst under the same conditions. Copolymerization of ethylene with 1‐hexene affords solid products with melting points and molecular weights that vary depending on the polymerization time, suggesting formation of a block and/or gradient copolymer.     

Dipalladium Catalyst for Olefin Polymerization: Introduction of Acrylate Units into the Main Chain of Branched Polyethylene

A dipalladium complex with a double‐decker structure catalyzes ethylene–acrylate copolymerization to produce the branched polymer containing the acrylate units in the polymer chain, not at the branch terminus. The cooperation of the two palladium centers, which are fixed in a rigid framework of the macrocyclic ligand, is proposed to have a significant dinuclear effect on the copolymerization.     

Crystalline Isotactic Polar Polypropylene from the Palladium‐Catalyzed Copolymerization of Propylene and Polar Monomers

Moderately isospecific homopolymerization of propylene and the copolymerization of propylene and polar monomers have been achieved with palladium complexes bearing a phosphine‐sulfonate ligand. Optimization of substituents on the phosphorus atom of the ligand revealed that the presence of bulky alkyl groups (e.g. menthyl) is crucial for the generation of high‐molecular‐weight polypropylenes (M_w≈10⁴), and the substituent at the ortho‐position relative to the sulfonate group influences the molecular weight and isotactic regularity of the obtained polypropylenes. Statistical analysis suggested that the introduction of substituents at the ortho‐position relative to the sulfonate group favors enantiomorphic site control over chain end control in the chain propagation step. The triad isotacticity could be increased to mm=0.55–0.59, with formation of crystalline polar polypropylenes, as supported by the presence of melting points and sharp peaks in the corresponding X‐ray diffraction patterns.     

Functional Amphiphilic Poly(2-oxazoline) Block Copolymers as Drug Carriers: the Relationship between Structure and Drug Loading Capacity

Poly(2-oxazoline)(POx) is a kind of polymeric amides that can be viewed as conformational isomers of polypeptides with excellent cyto-and hemo-compatibility, and is promising to be used as drug carriers. However, the drug loading capacity(DLC) of POx for many drugs is still low except several hydrophobic ones including paclitaxel(PTX). Herein, we prepared a series of amphiphilic POx block copolymers with various functional groups, and investigated the relationship between functional structures a...     

TEMPO Containing Polynorbornene Block Copolymers Prepared via ROMP and Their use as Scaffolds in Sol/Gel-Process

Summary: Block copolymers ( B ₅₀ T ₃₀ and B ₂₁ T ₃₀) containing free nitroxide-radicals with two different chain lengths derived from the monomers (+/−) endo,exo-bicyclo[2,2,1]-hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid-bis-O-tert.-butyl ester ( monomer B ) and (+/−)endo,exo-bicyclo[2,2,1]-hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid-bis-O-2,2,6,6-piperidinoxyl-ester ( monomer T ) were polymerized via ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The ter.-butyl-moiety in block B could then be hydrolyzed to obtain amphiphilic block copolymers which were used as scaffolds in subsequent sol/gel-process. The resulting block copolymers were analyzed via small angle X-Ray scattering (SAXS) to investigate microphase separation and the sol/gel products were analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to prove the formation of ordered TiO₂ crystals.