Organocatalytic Tunable Amino Acid Polymers Prepared by Controlled Radical Polymerization

Asymmetric Aldol Reactions Catalyzed by Polymeric Self-Assembly with Side-Chain Dipeptide Pendants

To explore the role of proline amide moieties in polymer-supported organocatalysts, side-chain l-proline-l-alanine (Pro-Ala) dipeptide-containing block copolymers were synthesized, and their catalytic potential for the aldol reaction was explored. The dipeptide monomer (Boc-Pro-Ala-HEMA) was polymerized to prepare block copolymers in the presence of hydrophilic poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PPEGMA) and hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) macro-chain transfer agents. Boc group expulsion from the block copolymers produced double hydrophilic PPEGMA-b-P(Pro-Ala-HEMA) (1b) and amphiphilic PMMA-b-P(Pro-Ala-HEMA) (1c) polymers. The solution behaviors of the polymers were studied by various physical techniques, which showed the formation of self-assembled aggregates of 1c in water and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)/water solvent mixtures. These polymers are used as organocatalysts during the aldol reaction of cyclohexanone and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde in different solvent polarities, catalyst loadings, temperatures, and reaction times. This work emphasizes superior catalytic activity of 1c at lower catalyst loadings (5%) while maintaining high conversion (95%) and enantioselectivity (94%) across multiple recycling cycles in DMF/water at a 3:1 ratio (v/v).

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.

Palladium-polymer nanoreactors for the aqueous asymmetric synthesis of therapeutic flavonoids

Polymeric core–shell micelles incorporating a chiral palladium pyridinooxazoline catalyst are presented as nanoreactors for the aqueous asymmetric synthesis of flavanones, a class of flavonoids, with therapeutic properties.

Nanoparticle Based on Poly(Ionic Liquid) as an Efficient Solid Immobilization Catalyst for Aldol Reaction and Multicomponent Reaction in Water

An environmentally friendly nanoparticle-supported catalyst was successfully prepared via in situ ionic complexation between imidazolium-based polymer ionic liquid (PIL) and poly(l-prolinamide-co-MAA). The physical and chemical properties of the obtained nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, FTIR, XPS, and static water contact angle experiments. The surface properties of the nanoparticle were found to significantly affect the catalytic performance. The nanoparticle with PIL outer facilitated the adsorption of reaction substrate in it. As a result, the catalytic system catalyzed the asymmetric Aldol reaction and multicomponent reaction in pure water efficiently. The catalytic system was able to be reused and recycled five times, and with no discernible loss in catalytic activity and enantioselectivity. These findings suggest that nanoparticles based on PIL may provide a new approach for preparing high performance supported catalysts for organic reactions in water. This technology also addresses issues associated with mass transfer in pure water reactions.

Stereospecific diaza-Cope rearrangement as an efficient tool for the synthesis of DPEDA pyridine analogs and related C2-symmetric organocatalysts

Enantiomerically pure trans-1,2-di-(pyridinyl)ethylene-1,2-diamines were synthesized via a stereospecific diaza-Cope rearrangement and converted to prolinamide-based recyclable organocatalysts.

The “bottom-up” construction of chiral porous organic polymers for heterogeneous asymmetric organocatalysis: MacMillan catalyst built-in nanoporous organic frameworks

MacMillan catalyst-embedded chiral porous organic polymers were synthesized via bottom-up strategy and used as efficient and recyclable heterogeneous organocatalysts for the asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction.

The hydrolytic behavior of N,N′-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate-functionalized polymeric stars

Well-definedN,N′-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate (DMAEA) functionalized polymeric stars have been synthesizedviaan arm-first approach.

A self-assembled nanotube for the direct aldol reaction in water

Nanotubes formed by the aqueous assembly of a proline-lysine dipeptide (1) were used to create the hydrophobic microenvironments required to catalyze the aldol reaction in water. The self-assembly process occurred most efficiently in the presence of the substrates, producing an array of homogeneous nanotubes under the reaction conditions. The nanotubes formed by dipeptide 1 served as an efficient catalyst for the aldol reaction that functioned at low loading levels and provided good to excellent conversions. The catalytic activity of 1 was minimal under conditions that dissociated the nanotube into soluble monomers.

Amino Acid Functional Polymers: Biomimetic Polymer Design Enabling Catalysis, Chiral Materials, and Drug Delivery

Amino acids are the natural building blocks for the world around us. Highly functional, these small molecules have unique catalytic properties, chirality, and biocompatibility. Imparting these properties to surfaces and other macromolecules is highly sought after and represents a fast-growing field. Polymers functionalized with amino acids in the side chains have tunable optical properties, pH responsiveness, biocompatibility, structure and self-assembly properties. Herein, we review the synthesis of amino acid functional polymers, discuss manipulation of available strategies to achieve the desired responsive materials, and summarize some exciting applications in catalysis, chiral particles, and drug delivery.

Temperature-responsive hairy particle-supported proline for direct asymmetric aldol reaction in water

In this paper, three kinds of hairy particles with different brush structures were prepared and evaluated as chiral catalysts in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction.

Synthesis and properties of novel helical 3-vinylpyridine polymers containing proline moieties for asymmetric aldol reaction

Novel helical vinyl polymers bearing l/d-proline amide moieties were prepared to catalyze asymmetric aldol reactions, which afforded faster reaction rate but slightly poorer enantio-selectivity than the low molar mass counterparts.

Hyperbranched polyethylene-supported l-proline: a highly selective and recyclable organocatalyst for asymmetric aldol reactions

A recyclable l-proline-based organocatalyst system with unique hyperbranched polyethylene as a scaffold is prepared for highly stereoselective asymmetric aldol reactions.

Synthesis and characterization of poly(amino acid methacrylate)-stabilized diblock copolymer nano-objects

Two amino acid methacrylates prepared via Michael addition are used as building blocks to prepare novel diblock copolymer nano-objects via polymerisation-induced self-assembly.

l-Cysteine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (LCMNP): a novel magnetically separable organocatalyst for one-pot synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles in water

Magnetic nanoparticles were functionalized with l-cysteine using a new and efficient method and introduced as a novel magnetically separable organocatalyst.

A novel poly(N-isopropyl-acrylamine-co-l-proline) catalyst for aldol reaction: synthesis, catalytic performance and recyclability

A novel homogeneous copolymer catalyst, poly(N-isopropyl-acrylamine-co-l-proline), possesses excellent activity and stereoselectivities. Even after ten cycles, the catalytic activity and stereoselectivities remained almost unchanged. The circular dichroism spectra of the copolymer catalyst are apparently different from the corresponding monomer.

Combining RAFT precipitation polymerization and surface-initiated RAFT polymerization: an efficient approach to prepare hairy particles—supported proline

In this paper, a simple and efficient approach for obtaining hairy particles supported proline system is described.

Amino acid and water-driven tunable green protocol to access S–S/C–S bonds via aerobic oxidative coupling and hydrothiolation

Arginine in conjunction with water has been employed as an effective and recyclable organocatalyst for oxidative coupling of thiophenols and hydrothiolation of alkynes.

Living Radical Polymerization by the RAFT Process – A Third Update

This paper provides a third update to the review of reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) achieved with thiocarbonylthio compounds (ZC(=S)SR) by a mechanism of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) that was published in June 2005 (Aust. J. Chem. 2005, 58, 379). The first update was published in November 2006 (Aust. J. Chem. 2006, 59, 669) and the second in December 2009 (Aust. J. Chem. 2009, 62, 1402). This review cites over 700 publications that appeared during the period mid 2009 to early 2012 covering various aspects of RAFT polymerization which include reagent synthesis and properties, kinetics and mechanism of polymerization, novel polymer syntheses, and a diverse range of applications. This period has witnessed further significant developments, particularly in the areas of novel RAFT agents, techniques for end-group transformation, the production of micro/nanoparticles and modified surfaces, and biopolymer conjugates both for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

L-Proline Functionalized Polymers Prepared by RAFT Polymerization and Their Assemblies as Supported Organocatalysts

We have prepared a range of well-defined copolymers of styrene and L-proline functionalized styrene (5-11 kDa) using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization techniques and explored their use in supported catalysis. Upon deprotection of the L-proline functionalities, the solution self-assembly of these copolymers was investigated in mixed solvent systems. The resulting assemblies were characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy (on graphene oxide substrates, along with cryo-TEM and tomography), and scanning electron microscopy. The application of these functional assemblies as supported catalysts for the aldol condensation reaction was explored using cyclohexanone and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde. The rate and selectivity of solution catalysis in our self-assembled system were comparable to those of L-proline, and a significant advantage of our system was that the polymer support could be utilized at lower catalyst loadings with comparable activity and also could be recycled a number of times while maintaining activity and selectivity.