Search for: All records

Polypeptoids, a class of synthetic peptidomimetic polymers, have attracted increasing attention due to their potential for biotechnological applications, such as drug/gene delivery, sensing and molecular recognition. Recent investigations on the solution self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolypeptoids highlighted their capability to form a variety of nanostructures with tailorable morphologies and functionalities. Here, we review our recent findings on the solutions self-assembly of coil-crystalline diblock copolypeptoids bearing alkyl side chains. We highlight the solution self-assembly pathways of these polypeptoid block copolymers and show how molecular packing and crystallization of these building blocks affect the self-assembly behavior, resulting in one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D) and multidimensional hierarchical polymeric nanostructures in solution. 

Polypeptoids bearing carboxylic acid groups on the N -substituent are useful building blocks for the construction of peptidomimetic supramolecular assemblies with stimuli-responsive properties. Towards this end, N -(3- tert -butoxy-3-oxopropyl) glycine derived N -carboxyanhydride ( t BuO 2 Pr-NCA) has been successfully synthesized and polymerized using primary amine initiators to produce the corresponding poly( N -(3- tert -butoxy-3-oxopropyl) glycine) with molecular weights ( M n ) of 5.6–59 kg mol −1 and a narrow molecular weight distribution (PDI = 1.003–1.026). The polymerization was shown to proceed in a controlled manner, evidenced by the good agreement of the experimental molecular weight ( M n ) with theoretical values and narrow molecular weight distribution in a wide range of monomer-to-initiator ratios ([M] 0  : [I] 0 = 25 : 1–200 : 1), the linear increase of M n with conversion and the second-order polymerization kinetics. The cloaked carboxyl groups on the poly( N -(3- tert -butoxy-3-oxopropyl) glycine) can be readily unveiled in mild acidic conditions to yield the poly( N -(2-carboxyethyl) glycine), a structural mimic of poly(glutamic acid). The poly( N -(2-carboxyethyl) glycine) polymer is a weak polyelectrolyte whose hydrodynamic size in water can be controlled by the solution pH.