One-pot synthesis of poly(vinyl alcohol)-based biocompatible block copolymers using a dual initiator for ROP and RAFT polymerization

End-functionalized polymers by controlled/living radical polymerizations: synthesis and applications

This review focuses on end-functionalized polymers synthesized by controlled/living radical polymerizations and the applications in fields including bioconjugate formation, surface modification, topology construction, and self-assembly.

Block Copolymer Micelles in Nanomedicine Applications

Polymeric micelles are demonstrating high potential as nanomedicines capable of controlling the distribution and function of loaded bioactive agents in the body, effectively overcoming biological barriers, and various formulations are engaged in intensive preclinical and clinical testing. This Review focuses on polymeric micelles assembled through multimolecular interactions between block copolymers and the loaded drugs, proteins, or nucleic acids as translationable nanomedicines. The aspects involved in the design of successful micellar carriers are described in detail on the basis of the type of polymer/payload interaction, as well as the interplay of micelles with the biological interface, emphasizing on the chemistry and engineering of the block copolymers. By shaping these features, polymeric micelles have been propitious for delivering a wide range of therapeutics through effective sensing of targets in the body and adjustment of their properties in response to particular stimuli, modulating the activity of the loaded drugs at the targeted sites, even at the subcellular level. Finally, the future perspectives and imminent challenges for polymeric micelles as nanomedicines are discussed, anticipating to spur further innovations.

Synthesis of pH-cleavable poly(trimethylene carbonate)-based block copolymers via ROP and RAFT polymerization

pH-responsive PDMAAm-b-PTMC block copolymers and their particles were prepared by combining ROP and RAFT polymerization using imine-containing macro-RAFT CTA.

Dependence of Copolymer Sequencing Based on Lactone Ring Size and ε-Substitution

The copolymerization of an ε-substituted ε-lactone, menthide (MI), and a range of nonsubstituted lactones (6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-membered rings) was investigated in order to determine the factors that affect the sequencing of the MI copolymers. Analysis by quantitative ¹³C NMR spectroscopy showed the copolymerization of MI with a nonsubstituted lactone of ring size 7 or less produced a randomly sequenced copolymer, as a consequence of the smaller lactone polymerizing first and undergoing rapid transesterification as MI was incorporated. Conversely, copolymerization with larger ring lactones (ring size 8 and above) produced block-like copolymers as a consequence of MI polymerizing initially, which does not undergo rapid transesterification side reactions during the incorporation of the second monomer. Terpolymerizations of a small ring lactone, macrolactone, and menthide demonstrated methods of producing lactone terpolymers with different final sequences, depending on when the small ring lactone was injected into the reaction mixture.