Mild and Efficient Modular Synthesis of Poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene) Block and Miktoarm Star Copolymer Architectures

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.

Schmidt D, Dieden R, Weydert M, S. Shaplov A. RAFT solution copolymerization of styrene and 1,3-butadiene and its application as a tool for block copolymer preparation

For the first time, random copolymers of styrene (St) and 1,3-butadiene (Bd) (poly(Stn-r-Bdm), styrene butadiene rubber, SBR) were prepared via solution RAFT polymerization, that was further extended to produce poly[Xn-b-(Stm-r-Bdk)] block copolymers.

Ring opening polymerization of α-amino acids: advances in synthesis, architecture and applications of polypeptides and their hybrids

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the synthesis, architectural design and biomedical applications of polypeptides and their hybrids.

RAFT polymerization to form stimuli-responsive polymers

Stimuli-responsive polymers respond to a variety of external stimuli, which include optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, redox, pH, chemical, environmental and biological signals. This paper is concerned with the process of forming such polymers by RAFT polymerization.

Star Polymers

Recent advances in controlled/living polymerization techniques and highly efficient coupling chemistries have enabled the facile synthesis of complex polymer architectures with controlled dimensions and functionality. As an example, star polymers consist of many linear polymers fused at a central point with a large number of chain end functionalities. Owing to this exclusive structure, star polymers exhibit some remarkable characteristics and properties unattainable by simple linear polymers. Hence, they constitute a unique class of technologically important nanomaterials that have been utilized or are currently under audition for many applications in life sciences and nanotechnologies. This article first provides a comprehensive summary of synthetic strategies towards star polymers, then reviews the latest developments in the synthesis and characterization methods of star macromolecules, and lastly outlines emerging applications and current commercial use of star-shaped polymers. The aim of this work is to promote star polymer research, generate new avenues of scientific investigation, and provide contemporary perspectives on chemical innovation that may expedite the commercialization of new star nanomaterials. We envision in the not-too-distant future star polymers will play an increasingly important role in materials science and nanotechnology in both academic and industrial settings.

Synthesis and properties of couplable ABCDE star copolymers by orthogonal CuAAC and Diels–Alder click reactions

Well-defined ABCDE star quintopolymers generated by a modular and orthogonal strategy could self-assemble into intriguing nanoobjects sensitive to thermal and pH stimuli.

Precise modular synthesis and a structure–property study of acid-cleavable star-block copolymers for pH-triggered drug delivery

A series of well-defined three-armed star-block copolymers (mPEG-a-PCL-a-)₃ linked with acid-cleavable acetal groups have been prepared and used for the pH-triggered delivery of doxorubicin.

Modular construction of macrocycle-based topological polymers via high-efficient thiol chemistry

Tadpole-, spiro-shaped, fused-dicyclic tadpole and other complex macrocycle-based topological polymers were modularly constructed via thiol-X chemistry.

Reversible-deactivation radical polymerization of chloroprene and the synthesis of novel polychloroprene-based block copolymers by the RAFT approach

Novel, well-defined PCP-based block copolymers (PSt-b-PCP and PMMA-b-PCP) with controlled number averaged molecular weights and molecular weight distributions can be prepared, employing EPDTB and CPDB, respectively, as the initial RAFT agent.