Design of Topology‐Controlled Polyethers toward Robust Cooperative Hydrogen Bonding

Abstract

Topology control of polymers is critical for determining their physical properties and potential applications; in particular, topologies that incorporate numerous hydrogen bonding (H‐bonding) donors and acceptors along the polymer chains considerably influence the formation of different inter‐ and intramolecular H‐bonding motifs. In this study, the high‐level control of inter‐ and intramolecular H‐bonding is investigated in topology‐controlled poly(glycidoxy carbonyl benzoic acid)s (PGCs). Three types of topology‐controlled PGCs (i.e., linear, hyperbranched, and branched cyclic structures having a similar degree of polymerization) are prepared by introducing aromatic carboxylic acids into the corresponding polyglycidols (PGs) via quantitative post‐polymerization modification with phthalic anhydride. The obtained three types of PGCs demonstrated the high‐level interplay between the inter‐ and intramolecular H‐bonding in polymer chains by exhibiting the pH‐dependent self‐association properties in the solution state and the strong adhesion properties in the bulk state with high transparency. Interestingly, the dramatically enhanced adhesive property by 2.6‐fold is demonstrated by simple mixing of branched cyclic PGC and topology‐controlled PGs to promote the cooperative H‐bonding between polymer chains. The new class of cooperative H‐bonding is anticipated between topology‐controlled polymers to contribute to the development of advanced adhesive and the high potential in biological and biomedical applications due to its excellent biocompatibility.

Preparation and performance testing of novel bendable optically transparent fluorinated hyperbranched linear long chain segment poly(amide-imide) films

“…Hyperbranched polymers that can be used as optical materials have attracted much attention in the field of optical devices in recent years due to their facile preparation, excellent solubility, and desirable thermal and optical properties. 1–6…”

In Vitro Biocompatibility and Endothelial Permeability of Branched Polyglycidols Generated by Ring-Opening Polymerization of Glycidol with B(C6F5)3 under Dry and Wet Conditions

“…The exploration of bc PG structures is presently ongoing for diverse applications in material synthesis. These applications include adhesives, 27 stabilizers of pigment particles, 28 and self-healing materials. 29 The distinctive topology of bc PGs played a crucial role in influencing the performance and properties of these materials.…”

UV Irradiation-Induced Cyclic-to-Linear Topological Changes of a Light/pH Dual-Sensitive Cyclic Copolymer for Enhanced Drug Delivery

“…Polymeric micelles represent probably one of the most studied nanocarriers for anticancer drug delivery owing to their notable advantages. − However, compromised micelle stability in the blood circulation upon intravenous injection due to massive dilution by body fluids and blood and interactions with a variety of biomolecules and extraneous factors leads to leakage and premature diffusion of encapsulated therapeutics resulting in toxicity to normal tissues and significantly compromised therapeutic efficiency at the focal site. , Polymers with advanced topologies, including star-shaped, , (hyper)­branched, dendritic, bottlebrush, and cyclic structures, , have been reported to endow the resulting polymeric self-assemblies with enhanced colloidal stability for long blood circulation in vivo. Among these reported advanced topological architectures, cyclic and its derived topologies have attracted considerable interest in the past decade because of the endless chain structure-associated unique properties that are quite different from those of linear counterparts .…”