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Synthesis of various glycopolymer architectures via RAFT polymerization: from block copolymers to stars.

Bernard J, Hao X, Davis TP, Barner-Kowollik C, Stenzel MH

Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

Well-defined linear poly(acryloyl glucosamine) (PAGA) exhibiting molar masses ranging from 3 to 120 K and low polydispersities have been prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) in aqueous solution without recourse to protecting group chemistry. The livingness of the process was further demonstrated by successfully chain-extending one of these polymers with N-isopropylacrylamide affording narrow dispersed thermosensitive diblocks. This strategy of polymerization was finally extended to the preparation of glycopolymer stars from Z designed non-water-soluble trifunctional RAFT agent. After the growth of very short blocks of poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) ((-)DP(n)(branch) = 10), AGA was polymerized in aqueous solution in a controlled manner affording well-defined 3-arm glycopolymer stars.

Published 9 January 2006 in Biomacromolecules, 7(1): 232-8.
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