The redox switchable formation of very well-defined supramolecular graft polymers in aqueous solution driven by host-guest interactions between ferrocene (Fc) and cyclodextrin (CD) is presented. The Fc-containing acrylic backbone copolymer (PDMA-stat-Fc) is prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization of N,N-dimethyl-acrylamide (DMA) and the novel monomer N-(ferrocenoylmethyl)acrylamide (NFMA). Via the RAFT process, copolymers containing variable Fc ratios (5-10 mol%) are prepared, affording polymers of molecular masses of close to 11,000 g mol(-1) and molar mass dispersities (Đ) of 1.2. The β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) containing building block is synthesized via RAFT-polymerization, too, in order to afford a polymer with well-defined molecular mass and low dispersity (Mn = 10 300 g mol(-1) , Đ = 1.1), employing a propargyl-functionalized chain transfer agent for the polymerization of N,N-diethylacrylamide (DEA). The polymerization product is subsequently terminated with β-CD via the regiospecific copper (I)-catalyzed 1,3-cycloaddition (PDEA-βCD). Host-guest interactions between Fc and CD lead to the formation of supramolecular graft-polymers, verified via nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY). Importantly, their redox-responsive character is clearly confirmed via cyclic voltammetry (CV). The self-assembly of the statistical Fc-containing lateral polymer chain in aqueous solution leads to mono- and multi-core micelle-aggregates evidenced via TEM. Only diffused cloud-like, non-spherical nanostructures are observed after addition of PDEA-βCD (TEM).
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.