AB2-type amphiphilic block copolymers composed of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) via single-electron transfer living radical polymerization: Synthesis and characterization

A review of emerging bone tissue engineering via PEG conjugated biodegradable amphiphilic copolymers

Defects in bones can be caused by a plethora of reasons, such as trauma or illness, and in many cases, it poses challenges to the current treatment approaches for bone repair. With increasing demand of bone bioengineering in tissue transplant, there is a need to source for sustainable solutions to induce bone regeneration. Polymeric biomaterials have been identified as a promising approach due to its excellent biocompatibility and controllable biodegradability. Specifically, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is one of the most commonly investigated polymer for use in bio-related application due to its bioinertness and versatility. Furthermore, the hydrophilic nature enables it to be incorporated with hydrophobic but biodegradable polymers like, polylactide (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL), to create an amphiphilic polymer. This article reviews the recent synthetic strategies available for the construction of PEG conjugated polymeric system, analysis of PEG influence on the material properties, and provides an overview of its application in bone engineering.

An efficient process for the Cu(0)-mediated synthesis and subsequent chain extension of poly(methyl acrylate) macroinitiator

A process combining a continuous tubular and a semi-batch reactor is established as an efficient method for the synthesis of block copolymers.

Recent Developments in the Synthesis of Biomacromolecules and their Conjugates by Single Electron Transfer-Living Radical Polymerization

Single electron transfer-living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) represents a robust and versatile tool for the synthesis of vinyl polymers with well-defined topology and chain end functionality. The crucial step in SET-LRP is the disproportionation of the Cu(I)X generated by activation with Cu(0) wire, powder, or nascent Cu(0) generated in situ into nascent, extremely reactive Cu(0) atoms and nanoparticles and Cu(II)X₂. Nascent Cu(0) activates the initiator and dormant chains via a homogeneous or heterogeneous outer-sphere single-electron transfer mechanism (SET-LRP). SET-LRP provides an ultrafast polymerization of a plethora of monomers (e.g., (meth)-acrylates, (meth)-acrylamides, styrene, and vinyl chloride) including hydrophobic and water insoluble to hydrophilic and water soluble. Some advantageous features of SET-LRP are (i) the use of Cu(0) wire or powder as readily available catalysts under mild reaction conditions, (ii) their excellent control over molecular weight evolution and distribution as well as polymer chain ends, (iii) their high functional group tolerance allowing the polymerization of commercial-grade monomers, and (iv) the limited purification required for the resulting polymers. In this Perspective, we highlight the recent advancements of SET-LRP in the synthesis of biomacromolecules and of their conjugates.

Control over the assembly and rheology of supramolecular networks via multi-responsive double hydrophilic copolymers

An orthogonal control over network formation and dynamics is achieved in metallo-supramolecular micellar gels via multi-responsive double hydrophilic copolymers.

Aqueous SET-LRP catalyzed with “in situ” generated Cu(0) demonstrates surface mediated activation and bimolecular termination

Ultrafast, inversely temperature dependent aqueous SET-LRP with “in situ” generated Cu(0) yields quantitative chain-ends demonstrating surface mediated activation and termination.

Controlled synthesis of amphiphilic graft copolymer for superhydrophobic electrospun fibres with effective surface fluorine enrichment: the role of electric field and solvent

Ultra-high surface fluorine enriched superhydrophobic fibrous films have been realized by electrospinning amphiphilic graft PMMA-r-PHPA-g-PDFMA, which is ascribed to the electric field and solvent.

A rational approach to activated polyacrylates and polymethacrylates by using a combination of model reactions and SET-LRP of hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate and methacrylate

A new class of activated polyacrylates was elaborated by a combination of model reactions and SET-LRP of hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate and methacrylate.

Self-activation and activation of Cu(0) wire for SET-LRP mediated by fluorinated alcohols

Herein we report the self-activation and activation of Cu(0) wire used to form a catalyst in single-electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) in two fluorinated alcohols employed as solvents, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol (TFP).

SET-LRP of semifluorinated acrylates and methacrylates

For the first time SET-LRP of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl acrylate, 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutyl acrylate, 1H,1H,5H-octafluoropentyl acrylate and 1H,1H,5H-octafluoropentyl methacrylate in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol as the solvent at 25 °C for acrylates and at 50 °C for methacrylate was accomplished.

Reversible deactivation radical polymerization in the presence of zero-valent metals: from components to precise polymerization

We highlight recent work from the advent of zero-valent metal-mediated RDRP looking at advances in its components and the synthesis of well-defined polymers.

Synthesis of multi-block copolymer stars using a simple iterative Cu(0)-mediated radical polymerization technique

A new iterative copper(0)-mediated radical polymerization approach is presented that represents a significant advance in the synthesis of high order multi-block star copolymers. The synthesis of these materials can now be achieved in high yield and with controlled structural complexity, with purification only required at the last step. The approach is general, facile and offers the opportunity to synthesize new copolymer stars.