Facile Synthesis of Chiral Polymers with Defined Architecture via Cooperative Assembly of Confined Templates

A Guideline for the Synthesis of Amino-Acid-Functionalized Monomers and Their Polymerizations

Amino acids have emerged as a sustainable source for the design of functional polymers. Besides their wide availability, especially their high degree of biocompatibility makes them appealing for a broad range of applications in the biomedical research field. In addition to these favorable characteristics, the versatility of reactive functional groups in amino acids (i.e., carboxylic acids, amines, thiols, and hydroxyl groups) makes them suitable starting materials for various polymerization approaches, which include step- and chain-growth reactions. This review aims to provide an overview of strategies to incorporate amino acids into polymers. To this end, it focuses on the preparation of polymerizable monomers from amino acids, which yield main chain or side chain-functionalized polymers. Furthermore, postpolymerization modification approaches for polymer side chain functionalization are discussed. Amino acids are presented as a versatile platform for the development of polymers with tailored properties.

Biomimetic controlled radical photopolymerization in a two-dimensional organized environment under visible light

Fast and well-controlled photoinduced atom transfer radical polymerization (photoATRP) in the organized medium of a bilayer activated by visible light under environmentally friendly mild aqueous conditions leads to polymers with predetermined molecular weight and low dispersity. The decisive parameter for photoATRP of monomers in the organized medium was their mobility and orientation with respect to the bilayer and the photoredox catalyst localized in the interstitial layer.

Bilayer-Templated Two-Dimensional RAFT Polymerization for Directed Assembly of Polymer Nanostructures

Co-localization of monomers, crosslinkers, and chain-transfer agents (CTA) within self-assembled bilayers in an aqueous suspension enabled the successful directed assembly of nanocapsules using a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process without compromising the polymerization kinetics. This study uncovered substantial influence of the organized medium on the course of the reaction, including differential reactivity based on placement and mobility of monomers, crosslinkers, and CTAs within the bilayer.