True tertiary architectures with defined local secondary structures are rare in synthetic systems. Adapting well‐developed synthetic building blocks and controlling their folding through diverse interactions can be a general approach toward this goal. In this contribution, the synthesis of 3D hierarchical assemblies with distinct secondary domains formed through the intramolecular folding of a block copolymer containing a coil‐like poly(styrene) (PS) block with a helical poly(isocyanide) block induced by phenyl‐pentafluorophenyl quadrupole interactions is reported. The PS block is prepared via atom‐transfer radical polymerization and end functionalized with a nickel complex that serves as a macroinitiator for the polymerization of chiral isocyanides bearing pentafluorophenyl pendants. The folding behavior of the coil‐helix block copolymers is investigated by dynamic light scattering, NMR spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry.
Synthesis of a heterotelechelic helical poly(methacrylamide) and its incorporation into a supramolecular triblock copolymer
We report the first heterotelechelic helical poly(methacrylamide) (PMAc) bearing orthogonal supramolecular binding sites on its chain-ends synthesized through a combination of reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization and thiol–bromo “click” chemistry. The heterotelechelic PMAc was assembled with two monotelechelic polymers featuring different secondary structures, namely a coil-like poly(styrene) and a helical poly(isocyanide), resulting in the formation of a coil–helix–helix supramolecular triblock copolymer through orthogonal metal coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions. Triblock assembly was confirmed through 1 H NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and viscometry. The individual polymer blocks retained their secondary structures in the final triblock copolymer, as evidenced by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Our synthetic strategy expands the toolbox of triblock copolymers featuring structural motifs similar to the ones found in proteins and provides the potential for the development of other complex multifunctional polymeric ensembles.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1902917
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10175795
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Volume:
- 10
- Issue:
- 37
- ISSN:
- 1759-9954
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 5087 to 5093
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract The fabrication of truly hierarchically folded single‐chain polymeric nanoparticles with primary, secondary, and defined 3D architecture is still an unfulfilled goal. In this contribution, a polymer is reported that folds into a well‐defined 3D structure from a synthetic sheet‐helix block copolymer. The sheet‐like poly(
p ‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) block is synthesized via the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of a thymine‐bearing dialkoxy‐substituted [2.2]paracyclophane‐1,9‐diene. The PPV block is terminated with a Pd complex using a Pd‐containing chain‐terminating agent. The terminal Pd complex catalyzes the polymerization of isocyanide monomers with side‐chains containing either a chiral menthol or an achiral diaminopyridine resulting in the formation of a helical poly(isocyanide) (PIC) random copolymer. The PIC side‐chains are capable of engaging in complementary hydrogen‐bonding with thymine units along the PPV block resulting in the folding of the two secondary structural domains into a well‐defined 3D structure. The folding and unfolding of the polymer in both chloroform and THF are monitored using dynamic light scattering and NMR spectroscopy. This work is the first example of a hierarchically folded synthetic polymer featuring a defined 3D structure achieved by using two different polymer backbones with two distinct secondary structures. -
null (Ed.)We report poly(isocyanide)-based random copolymers (co-PIC) featuring alkoxycarbonyl-based side-chains synthesized via the metal-catalyzed controlled polymerization of chiral and achiral isocyanide monomers. The pyridine-functionalized achiral monomer provides functional sites while the chiral monomer drives the formation of a one-handed preferred helix. The side-chain functionalized helical polymer undergoes self-assembly with palladated pincer ligands, as evidenced by 1H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopies. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy confirms that the side-chain self-assembly does not affect the backbone helicity. We construct supramolecular helical brush copolymers via the metal coordination of the co-PIC backbone with telechelic poly(styrene)s. 1H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopies confirm the metal coordination, and CD measurements suggest that the backbone retains its helical conformation. Additionally, viscometry measurements verify the formation of high molecular weight polymers while dynamic light scattering confirms the increasing hydrodynamic radii of the resulting supramolecular brush copolymers. Our methodology constructs complex 3D materials with fully synthetic, secondary structure containing building blocks. We view this as a platform for building architecturally controlled 3D supramolecular materials with high degrees of complexity.more » « less
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A laboratory-synthesized triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide-b-acrylic acid-b-styrene) (PEG-PAA-PS) was used as a template to synthesize hollow BaCO3 nanoparticles (BC-NPs). The triblock copolymer was synthesized using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer radical polymerization. The triblock copolymer has a molecular weight of 1.88 × 104 g/mol. Transmission electron microscopy measurements confirm the formation of spherical micelles with a PEG corona, PAA shell, and PS core in an aqueous solution. Furthermore, the dynamic light scattering experiment revealed the electrostatic interaction of Ba2+ ions with an anionic poly(acrylic acid) block of the micelles. The controlled precipitation of BaCO3 around spherical polymeric micelles followed by calcination allows for the synthesis of hollow BC-NPs with cavity diameters of 15 nm and a shell thickness of 5 nm. The encapsulation and release of methotrexate from hollow BC-NPs at pH 7.4 was studied. The cell viability experiments indicate the possibility of BC-NPs maintaining biocompatibility for a prolonged time.more » « less
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1039/c9py01047e
