Synthesis of Fréchet type dendritic benzyl propargyl ether and Fréchet type triazole dendrimer

Fréchet type dendritic benzyl propargyl ethers were synthesized by the reaction of propargyl bromide with the corresponding Fréchet type dendritic benzyl alcohol. A propargyl focal point functionalized dendrons were applied for the construction of symmetric and unsymmetric dendrimers containing 1,2,3-triazole rings as connectors via click chemistry with a tripodal azide core or a azide focal point functionalized Fréchet type dendrons.     

Designing poly(amido amine) dendrimers containing core diversities by click chemistry of the propargyl focal point poly(amido amine) dendrons

General, fast, efficient, and inexpensive methods for the synthesis of poly (amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers having core diversities were elaborated. In all syntheses, the major step involved an inexpensive 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction between an alkyne and an azide in the presence of Cu(I) species, which is known as the best example of click chemistry. The propargyl‐functionalized PAMAM dendrons are obtained by the divergent approach using propargylamine as an alkyne‐focal point. Three core building blocks, 1,3,5‐tris(azidomethyl)benzene, N,N,N′,N′‐tetra(azidopropylamidoethyl)‐1,2‐diaminoethane, and 4,4′‐(3,5‐bis(azidopropyloxy)benzyloxy)bisphenyl, were designed and synthesized to serve as the azide functionalities for dendrimer growth via click reactions with the alkyne‐dendrons. These three building blocks were employed together with the propargyl‐functionalized PAMAM dendrons in a convergent strategy to synthesize three kinds of PAMAM dendrimers with different core units. This novel and pivotal strategy using an efficient click methodology provides the fast and efficient synthesis of the PAMAM dendrimers with the tailed made core units. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1083–1097, 2008     

Click‐Conjugation of Nanogold‐Functionalized PAMAM Dendrimer: Toward a Novel Electrochemical Detection Platform

This work reports a new electrochemical monitoring platform for sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ coupling click chemistry with nanogold‐functionalized PAMAM dendrimer (AuNP‐PAMAM). The system involved an alkyne‐modified carbon electrode and an azide‐functionalized AuNP‐PAMAM. Initially, the added Cu²⁺ was reduced to Cu⁺ by the ascorbate, and then the azide‐modified AuNP‐PAMAM was covalently conjugated to the electrode via Cu⁺‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne click reaction. The carried AuNPs accompanying PAMAM dendrimer could be directly monitored by stripping voltammetry after acidic pretreatment. By introduction of high‐loading PAMAM dendrimer with gold nanoparticles, as low as 2.8 pM Cu²⁺ (ppt) could be detected, which was 125‐fold lower than that of gold nanoparticle‐based labeling strategy. The method exhibited high specificity toward target Cu²⁺ against other potentially interfering ions, and was applicable for monitoring Cu²⁺ in drinking water with satisfactory results.     

‘Clickable’ cyclopentadienyl iron carbonyl complexes for bioorthogonal conjugation of mid‐infrared labels to a model protein and PAMAM dendrimer

Owing to the intrinsic limitations of the conventional bioconjugation methods involving native nucleophilic functions of proteins, we sought to develop alternative approaches to introduce metallocarbonyl infrared labels onto proteins on the basis of the [3 + 2] dipolar azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (AAC). To this end, two cyclopentadienyl iron dicarbonyl (Fp) complexes carrying a terminal or a strained alkyne handle were synthesized. Their reactivity was examined towards a model protein and poly (amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer, both carrying azido groups. While the copper (I)‐catalysed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) proceeded smoothly with the terminal alkyne metallocarbonyl derivative, labelling by strain‐promoted azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) was less successful in terms of final coupling ratios. Infrared spectral characterization of the bioconjugates showed the presence of two bands in the 2000 cm^?1 region, owing to the stretching vibration modes of the carbonyl ligands of the Fp entities.     

Azide‐functionalized nanoparticles as quantized building block for the design of soft–soft fluorescent polystyrene core—PAMAM shell nanostructures

This work deals with the covalent coupling of azide‐functionalized polymeric nanoparticles as a reactive core and amino‐terminated PAMAM dendrons as a reactive shell. The nanoassemblies thereby obtained could be modified after the dendronization step by grafting an alkynyl Bodipy dye on the unreacted azide moieties. Only a few steps are required to attain nanoassemblies that could mimic dendrimers of high generation with sizes of nano‐objects beyond those of dendrimers. The structure of the nanoassemblies are composed of a polystyrene core, an inner shell including the Bodipy dyes along with the internal branches of the PAMAM, and the terminal amino groups from the outer shell. The dendritic shell acts as a protective layer that prevents NP from aggregation in a surfactant free aqueous solution. The nano‐objects display absorption and emission maxima above 500 nm with brightness that are the same order of magnitude than Qdots. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 115–126     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of dendrimers containing meta-terphenyl peripheral groups and a 4,4′-bipyridinium core

Fréchet-type poly(arylether) dendrons carrying m-terphenyl peripheral groups were synthesized up to second generation by convergent methodology. Simple quarternisation of 4,4′-bipyridine with the dendritic bromides afforded the corresponding dendrimers containing a 4,4′-bipyridine core. The electrochemical parameters were obtained for all the dendrimers and the half-wave potentials of both the first and second redox processes shift to less-negative values as the dendrimer generation increases.     

DNA-templated covalent coupling of G4 PAMAM dendrimers

Generation-4 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers were surface-functionalized with azides or alkynes and conjugated to one DNA strand. DNA-controlled self-assembly of alternating azide and alkyne dendrimers on a DNA template enabled the coupling of the dendrimers by the azide-alkyne "click" reaction to form covalently coupled dimers, trimers, and tetramers. Polymerization of the DNA-dendrimer conjugates was also demonstrated, as well as assembly in a circular structure on DNA origami and imaging by atomic force microscopy.     

Synthesis of anionic carbosilane dendrimers via “click chemistry” and their antiviral properties against HIV

The synthesis and characterization of four families of anionic carbosilane dendrimers bearing carboxylate, phosphonate, naphthylsulfonate, and sulfate terminal groups prepared by cycloaddition of azide–alkyne catalyzed by copper (CuAAC) are presented here. For the preparation of these anionic carbosilane dendrimers, two strategies starting from azide‐terminated carbosilane dendrimers were followed: (i) click coupling of neutral alkynes followed by derivatization into anionic moieties or (ii) click coupling of anionic alkynes. Both strategies require different reaction conditions in order to accommodate the different substrate polarities. These anionic dendrimers, in general, do not present cell toxicity in vitro until concentration up to 20 µM. Therefore, they can be used in inhibition experiments in concentrations below this limit. We have observed that dendrimers bearing phosphonate groups possess poor anti‐HIV capabilities in vitro in PBMCs, while carboxylate dendrimers can reduce HIV infection levels moderately. On the other hand, sulfate and naphthylsulfonate dendrimers are powerful anti‐HIV agents and their antiviral activity is generation and concentration dependent. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1099–1112     

A facile one-pot five-component synthesis of glycoside annulated dihydropyrimidinone derivatives with 1,2,3-triazol linkage via transesterification/Biginelli/click reactions in aqueous medium

Copper(I) promoted Huigsen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of terminal alkyne with azide is utilized as an efficient protocol for the one-pot five-component synthesis of glycoside annulated dihydropyrimidinone derivatives with 1,2,3-triazol linkage accomplished by tert-butyl β-ketoester, arylaldehyde, urea, propargyl alcohol, and glycosyl azide through the combination of transesterification and Biginelli reaction in aqueous medium. This protocol provides an access to generate scaffolds with molecular diversity from readily available starting materials.     

Synthesis and photoresponsive study of azobenzene centered polyamidoamine dendrimers

A new series of novel polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers 4, 5 and 6 possessing azobenzene units specifically at the core were prepared and their reversible trans/cis photoisomerization properties were studied. PAMAM dendritic wedges as well as azo-based PAMAM dendrimers were fully characterized by means of FT-IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C), mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), thermogravimetric and elemental analysis.     

Alkoxy encapsulation of carbazole-based thermally activated delayed fluorescent dendrimers for highly efficient solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes

Two n-butoxy-encapsulated dendritic thermally activated delayed fluorescent(TADF) emitters(namely O-D1 and O-D2) with the first-/second-generation carbazoledendrons are designed and synthesized via C—N coupling between carbazoledendrons and 2,4,6-tris(4-bromophenyl)-1,3,5-triazine core.It is found that,compa red with the commo nly-used tert-butyl groups,the use of n-butoxy encapsulation groups can lead to smallersinglet-triplet energy gap for the dendrimers,producing stronger TADF effect together with faster reverse intersystem crossing process.Solution-processed TADF organic light-emitting diodes(OLEDs) utilizingalkoxy-encapsulated dendrimers O-D1 and O-D2 as emitters exhibitstate-of-the-art device efficiency withthe maximum external quantum efficiency up to 16.8% and 20.6%,respectively,which are ～1.6 and～2.0 times that of the tert-butyl-encapsulated counterparts.These results suggest that alkoxy encapsulation of the carbazole-based TADF dendrimers can be a promising approach for developing highly efficient emitters for solution-processed OLEDs.     

One‐pot preparation of ABA‐type block‐graft copolymers via a combination of “click” chemistry with atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling reaction

A new strategy for the one‐pot preparation of ABA‐type block‐graft copolymers via a combination of Cu‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) “click” chemistry with atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling (ATNRC) reaction was reported. First, sequential ring‐opening polymerization of 4‐glycidyloxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (GTEMPO) and 1‐ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether provided a backbone with pendant TEMPO and ethoxyethyl‐protected hydroxyl groups, the hydroxyl groups could be recovered by hydrolysis and then esterified with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide, the bromide groups were converted into azide groups via treatment with NaN₃. Subsequently, bromine‐containing poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA‐Br) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. Alkyne‐containing polystyrene (PS‐alkyne) was prepared by capping polystyryl‐lithium with ethylene oxide and subsequent modification by propargyl bromide. Finally, the CuAAC and ATNRC reaction proceeded simultaneously between backbone and PtBA‐Br, PS‐alkyne. The effects of catalyst systems on one‐pot reaction were discussed. The block‐graft copolymers and intermediates were characterized by size‐exclusion chromatography, ¹H NMR, and FT‐IR in detail. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

“Click” coupling between alkyne‐decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes and reactive PDMA‐PNIPAM micelles

Covalent functionalization of alkyne‐decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with a well‐defined, azide‐derivatized, thermoresponsive diblock copolymer, poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PDMA‐PNIPAM) was accomplished by the Cu(I)‐catalyzed [3 + 2] Huisgen cycloaddition. It was found that this reaction could simultaneously increase the molecular size and bonding density of grafted polymers when PDMA‐PNIPAM micelles were employed in the coupling system. On the other hand, attachment of molecularly dissolved unimers of high‐molecular weight onto the nanotube resulted in low‐graft density. The block copolymer bearing azide groups at the PDMA end was prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation transfer polymerization, which formed micelles with a diameter of ～40 nm at temperatures above its critical micelle temperature. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to demonstrate that the coupling reaction was successfully carried out between copolymer micelles and alkyne‐bearing MWNTs. FTIR spectroscopy was utilized to follow the introduction and consumption of alkyne groups on the MWNTs. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the functionalized MWNTs consisted of about 45% polymer. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to image polymer‐functionalized MWNTs, showing relatively uniform polymer coatings present on the surface of nanotubes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7187–7199, 2008     

Synthesis and characterization of star graft copolymers with asymmetric mixed “V‐shaped” side chains via “click” chemistry on a hyperbranched polyglycerol core

The star graft copolymers composed of hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) as core and well defined asymmetric mixed “V‐shaped” identical polystyrene (PS) and poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) as side chains were synthesized via the “click” chemistry. The V‐shaped side chain bearing a “clickable” alkyne group at the conjunction point of two blocks was first prepared through the combination of anionic polymerization of styrene (St) and atom transfer radical polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) monomer, and then “click” chemistry was conducted between the alkyne groups on the side chains and azide groups on HPG core. The obtained star graft copolymers and intermediates were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), GPC equipped with a multiangle laser‐light scattering detector (GPC‐MALLS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and fourier transform infrared. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1308–1316, 2009     

Fluorophore-labeled Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) Dendritic Architectures: Synthesis and Fluorescence Sensing Properties

Novel polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers (G=0.5–2.5) with a naphthalene core unit have been prepared. They were found to display acid as well as metal ion sensitive fluorescence signal amplification, making them of potential use as chemosensing materials. PAMAM dendritic wedges as well as naphthalene-centered PAMAM dendrimers were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis.     

Acid‐Cleavable Unimolecular Micelles from Amphiphilic Star Copolymers for Triggered Release of Anticancer Drugs

In this contribution, amphiphilic star copolymers (H40‐star‐PCL‐a‐PEG) with an H40 hyperbranched polyester core and poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐a‐poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer arms linked with acetal groups are synthesized using ring‐opening polymerization and a copper (I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition click reaction. The acid‐cleavable acetal groups between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments of the arms endow the amphiphilic star copolymers with pH responsiveness. In aqueous solution, unimolecular micelles can be formed with good stability and a unique acid degradability, as is desirable for anticancer drug carriers. For the model drug of doxorubicin, the in vitro release behavior, intracellular release, and inhibition of proliferation of HeLa cells show that the acid‐cleavable unimolecular micelles with anticancer activity can be dissociated in an acidic environment and efficiently internalized by HeLa cells. Due to the acid‐cleavable and biodegradable nature, unimolecular micelles from amphiphilic star copolymers are promising for applications in intracellular drug delivery for cancer chemotherapy.

     

Synthesis of new <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives containing photopolymerizable 1,3-butadiyne fragments

Successive functionalization of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene afforded a bifunctional derivative containing photopolymerizable pentacosa-10,12-diynoic acid fragments on the upper rim and propargyl groups on the lower rim of the macrocycle having a cone structure. The functionalization can be readily accomplished via copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition under mild conditions.     

Novel first-generation dendrimers on calix[4]resorcinol core equipped with multiple triazole units

Novel first-generation dendrimers on the calix[4]resorcinol core with four branches each containing multiple 1,2,3-triazole units have been synthesized in one-step by acid catalyzed condensation of resorcinols with a new aldehyde dendron, namely, 4-{3,5-bis[(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)- methoxy]benzyloxy}benzaldehyde (obtained by alkyne–azide cycloaddition). The reaction proceeds stereoselectively to form rccc-diastereoisomers in high yields.     

Synthesis of polypeptide/inorganic hybrid block copolymers

Polypeptide/inorganic hybrid copolymers were obtained by a four-step synthetic approach combining (i) atom transfer polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate, (ii) chemical modification of the bromo end groups of ATRP-polymers into primary amino group using Gabriel reaction, (iii) ring opening polymerization of N_ε-trifluoroacetyl-l-lysine or γ-benzyl-l-glutamate N-carboxyanhydrides followed by (iv) the transamidification reaction using a large excess of (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane to substitute the tert-butyl groups of the poly(tert-butyl acrylate) block. Products were characterized using ¹H NMR, FT-IR, DSC and MALDI-TOF MS. These techniques proved that polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate was controlled whatever the molecular weight targeted and that bromide was quantitatively converted to amino end group by a original method leading to the synthesis of copolymers in the presence of N-carboxyanhydrides as monomers. Amphiphilic polypeptide/inorganic hybrid copolymers were then achieved.     

Synthesis of low grafting density molecular brush from a poly(N‐alkyl urea peptoid) backbone

The synthesis of a molecular brush was accomplished by combining step‐growth polymerization and reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in a “grafting from” methodology. A symmetrical N‐alkyl urea peptoid sixmer containing alkyne functional groups was prepared using a divergent strategy, and the structure of the product was confirmed using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. A step‐growth process was used to prepare a linear poly(N‐alkyl urea peptoid) by reacting the diamine‐functionalized N‐alkyl urea peptoid sixmer with a diisocyanate. RAFT chain transfer agents were coupled to the poly(N‐alkyl urea peptoid) backbone through a copper‐catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition reaction. The afforded macro‐RAFT agent was used to sequentially polymerize styrene and tert‐butyl acrylate block copolymer arms from the poly(N‐alkyl urea peptoid) backbone. The tert‐butyl groups were removed using dilute trifluoroacetic acid affording hydrophilic polyacrylic acid segments. The molecular brushes were observed to generate micelles in aqueous solution. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011