Self-assembly of dendron-helical polypeptide copolymers: organogels and lyotropic liquid crystals

Synthesis and Thermoreversible Gelation of Coil-Rod Copolymers with a Dendritic Polyethylene Core and Multiple Helical Poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) Arms

Coil-rod copolymers with a dendritic polyethylene (DPE) core and multiple helical poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) arms (DPE-(PBLG)n) were prepared by palladium-catalyzed copolymerization in tandem with ring-opening polymerization (ROP). Macroinitiator (DPE-(NH2)11) was firstly prepared by the group transformation of DPE-(OH)11 generated from palladium-catalyzed copolymerization of ethylene and acrylate comonomer. Coil-helical DPE-(PBLG)11 copolymers were prepared by ROP of γ-benzyl-L-glutamate-N-carboxyanhydride (BLG-NCA). These DPE-(PBLG)11 copolymers could form thermoreversible gels in toluene solvent, and the dendritic topology of the DPE core increased the critical gelation concentrations. The self-assembled nanostructure of gels was fully characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and the morphology of the fibrous structure was a twisted flat ribbon through a self-assembled nanoribbon mechanism. The self-assembled fibers formed by DPE-(PBLG45)11 are more heterogeneous and ramified than previously observed fibers formed by PBLG homopolymer and block copolymers.

Self-Assembling Oligo(2-oxazoline) Organogelators for the Encapsulation and Slow Release of Bioactive Volatiles

Herein, we report a class of distinctive supramolecular nanostructures in situ-generated from the cationic ring-opening polymerization of a particular 2-oxazoline monomer, i.e., 2-(N-tert-butyloxycarbonylaminomethyl)-2-oxazoline (Ox1). Driven by side-chain hydrogen bonding between neighboring molecules and van der Waals interactions, the growing oligomers of Ox1 precipitate in the form of macroscopic platelets when the degree of polymerization reaches 5-7. A similar self-assembly occurred in the block copolymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (EtOx) or 2-pentyl-2-oxazoline (PeOx) and Ox1 as the second monomer. These polymeric aggregates were found to disassemble into rod-like nanoparticles under appropriate conditions, and to form stable organogels in some polar solvents like dimethylformamide as well as in natural liquid fragrances such as (R)-carvone, citronellal, and (R)-limonene. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the morphology of their xerogels was solvent-dependent, mainly with a lamellar or fibrous structure. The rheology measurements confirmed the as-obtained organogels feature an obvious thixotropic character. The storage modulus was about 7-10 times higher than the loss modulus, indicating the physical crosslinking in the gel. The fragrance release profiles showed that the presented supramolecular gel system exhibits good sustained-release effect for the loaded bioactive volatiles.

Stearoyl-appended pendant amino acid-based hyperbranched polymers for selective gelation of oil from oil/water mixtures

Stearic acid-appended pendant amino acid-based poly(methacrylate) hyperbranched polymers were developed for the phase-selective organogelation of crude oil from a binary mixture of oil/water.

Tunable Organogelator from Alkyl-Polypeptide Diblock Prepared by Ring-Opening Polymerization

Three alkyl-polypeptide hybrid amphiphiles were synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of γ-(2-methoxyethoxy)esteryl-l-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (l-EG1Glu NCA) using alkylamine, i.e. C6H13NH2, C14H29NH2, and C16H33NH2, as initiators. As-prepared alkyl-poly-l-EG1Glu hybrids were found to form clear organogels in several organic solvents at low concentration. FTIR and circular dichroism characterizations suggested that poly-l-EG1Glu formed a predominantly β-sheet conformation, which accounted for the gelation. Transmission electron and atomic force microscopy characterizations revealed that these copolymers formed nanoribbon structures in THF.

Tandem catalysis for the preparation of cylindrical polypeptide brushes

Here, we report a method for synthesis of cylindrical copolypeptide brushes via N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) polymerization utilizing a new tandem catalysis approach that allows preparation of brushes with controlled segment lengths in a straightforward, one-pot procedure requiring no intermediate isolation or purification steps. To obtain high-density brush copolypeptides, we used a "grafting from" approach where alloc-α-aminoamide groups were installed onto the side chains of NCAs to serve as masked initiators. These groups were inert during cobalt-initiated NCA polymerization and gave allyloxycarbonyl-α-aminoamide-substituted polypeptide main chains. The alloc-α-aminoamide groups were then activated in situ using nickel to generate initiators for growth of side-chain brush segments. This use of stepwise tandem cobalt and nickel catalysis was found to be an efficient method for preparation of high-chain-density, cylindrical copolypeptide brushes, where both the main chains and side chains can be prepared with controlled segment lengths.

Functional supramolecular assemblies derived from dendritic building blocks

Control of the structure and function of self-assembled materials has been a significant issue in many areas of nanoscience. Among many different types of building blocks, dendritic ones have shown interesting self-assembly behaviour and functional performances due to their unique shape and multiple functionalities. Dendritic building blocks exhibit unique self-assembly behaviour in diverse environments such as aqueous and organic solutions, solid-liquid interfaces, and thermotropic solid conditions. Tuning the balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts, as well as the external conditions for self-assembly, provides unique opportunities for control of supramolecular architectures. Furthermore, the introduction of suitable functional moieties into dendrons enables us to control self-assembly characteristics, allowing nanostructures to exhibit smart performances for electronic or biological applications. The self-assembly characteristics of amphiphilic dendrons under various conditions were investigated to elucidate how dendrons can assemble into nanoscopic structures and how these nanoassemblies exhibit unique properties. Well-defined nanostructures derived from self-assembly of dendrons provide an efficient approach for exhibition of unique functions at the nanoscale. This feature article describes the unique self-assembly characteristics of various types of dendritic building blocks and their potential applications as advanced materials.

Organogelation by polymer organogelators with a L-lysine derivative: formation of a three-dimensional network consisting of supramolecular and conventional polymers

Polymer compounds consisting of a L-lysine derivative and conventional polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol), polycarbonate, polyesters, and poly(alkylene), have been synthesized and their organogelation properties examined in various solvents. These polymer compounds function as good organogelators that form organogels in many organic solvents and oils. The organogelation ability is almost independent of the polymer backbone. Observation by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) demonstrates that the polymer organogelators form a supramolecular polymer with a diameter of several tens of nanometers and create a three-dimensional network in organogels. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis shows that the supramolecular polymer is mainly formed by the self-assembly of L-lysine segments through hydrogen-bonding and van der Waals interactions. Furthermore, the organogels formed by the polymer organogelators have a lower gel-sol temperature and higher gel strength than those of a low-molecular-weight model organogelator.

Synthesis and self-assembly of dendritic-helical block copolypeptides

Dendritic-helical diblock copolypeptides, dendritic poly(-lysine)--poly(γ-benzyl--glutamate) (PBLG-Lys) were synthesized up to 4th generation of dendritic poly(-lysine). PBLG was synthesized by conventional ring-opening polymerization of γ-benzyl--glutamate--carboxyanhydride with heptyl amine as an initiator. The -terminus of this PBLG was used for further coupling reactions with ,-bis(-butoxycarbonyl)--lysine pentafluorophenylester. These block copolypeptides possess well-defined 3-D structures in solution, and they self-assemble into a fibrous structure a nanoribbon mechanism in toluene. Amphiphilic block copolypeptides were obtained after deprotecting BOC groups at the periphery of the lysine dendrimer block. Due to the well-defined size and structure of the dendritic lysine block and well-defined α-helical conformation of the PBLG block, the block copolypeptides showed a generation-dependent self-assembly behavior in aqueous solution.