Amphiphilic poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate]-b -poly(azidopropyl acrylamide) (PPEGMEMA-b -PAzPA) block copolymers are synthesized via a combination of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and a reactive ester-amine reaction. The azido-functionalized PPEGMEMA-b -PAzPA block copolymers can self-assemble into polymeric micelles in an aqueous medium and encapsulate hydrophobic alkynyl-containing manganese(III)porphyrin (MnP) within the core domain. The subsequent in situ copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) leads to the formation of PEGylated-MnP nanoparticles (PEG-MnP NPs). The as-synthesized PEG-MnP NPs are explored as a heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of cyclohexene in water. The effect of various parameters, such as precursor oxidants, substrate to catalyst loading ratio, and presence of a cocatalyst, is investigated to optimize the oxidation conditions. The catalytic activity of PEG-MnP NPs in water is also compared with that of dissolved MnP in organic solvent.

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