Specific lectin interactions and temperature‐induced reversible gels in novel water‐soluble glycopolymers bearing maltotrionolactone pendant groups

Glycopolymers based on the incorporation of a diaminobutylmaltotrionolactone onto activated ethylene‐vinyl alcohol, EVOH, copolymers with distinct composition in the former counit have been prepared. Previous transformation of initial hydroxyl EVOH groups to other more reactive functional groups has been required. The activation has been performed in this current investigation by functionalization with either 4‐nitrophenyl carbonate or o‐phthalic acid groups. The structure of the resulting novel water‐soluble glycopolymers has been confirmed by FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopies. In addition, the glass transition temperatures and thermal stability as well as the viscoelastic behavior in bulk and in water solution have been examined as a function of chemical linkage nature. The rheological evaluation confirms the reversible gel formation in all the cases. Finally, their affinity to Concanavalin A lectin has been also analyzed proving the feasible use of these glycopolymers as molecular recognition materials. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 719–729, 2010