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Wu Y, Chen K, Wang J, Chen M, Dai W, Liu R. Recent Advances and Future Developments in the Preparation of Polypeptides via N-Carboxyanhydride (NCA) Ring-Opening Polymerization. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:24189-24208. [PMID: 39172171 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Polypeptides have the same or similar backbone structures as proteins and peptides, rendering them as suitable and important biomaterials. Amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCA) ring-opening polymerization has been the most efficient strategy for polypeptide preparation, with continuous advance in the design of initiators, catalysts and reaction conditions. This Perspective first summarizes the recent progress of NCA synthesis and purification. Subsequently, we focus on various initiators for NCA polymerization, catalysts for accelerating polymerization or enhancing the controllability of polymerization, and recent advances in the reaction approach of NCA polymerization. Finally, we discuss future research directions and open challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Specially Functional Polymeric Materials and Related Technology (Ministry of Education), Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kang Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Specially Functional Polymeric Materials and Related Technology (Ministry of Education), Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiangzhou Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Specially Functional Polymeric Materials and Related Technology (Ministry of Education), Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Minzhang Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Specially Functional Polymeric Materials and Related Technology (Ministry of Education), Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wenhui Dai
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Specially Functional Polymeric Materials and Related Technology (Ministry of Education), Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Runhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Specially Functional Polymeric Materials and Related Technology (Ministry of Education), Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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Wang S, Tang Y, Kou X, Chen J, Edgar KJ. Dextran Macroinitiator for Synthesis of Polysaccharide- b-Polypeptide Block Copolymers via NCA Ring-Opening Polymerization. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:3122-3130. [PMID: 38696355 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Synthesis of polysaccharide-b-polypeptide block copolymers represents an attractive goal because of their promising potential in delivery applications. Inspired by recent breakthroughs in N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) ring-opening polymerization (ROP), we present an efficient approach for preparation of a dextran-based macroinitiator and the subsequent synthesis of dextran-b-polypeptides via NCA ROP. This is an original approach to creating and employing a native polysaccharide macroinitiator for block copolymer synthesis. In this strategy, regioselective (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO) oxidation of the sole primary alcohol located at the C-6 position of the monosaccharide at the nonreducing end of linear dextran results in a carboxylic acid. This motif is then transformed into a tetraalkylammonium carboxylate, thereby generating the dextran macroinitiator. This macroinitiator initiates a wide range of NCA monomers and produces dextran-b-polypeptides with a degree of polymerization (DP) of the polypeptide up to 70 in a controlled manner (Đ < 1.3). This strategy offers several distinct advantages, including preservation of the original dextran backbone structure, relatively rapid polymerization, and moisture tolerance. The dextran-b-polypeptides exhibit interesting self-assembly behavior. Their nanostructures have been investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and adjustment of the structure of block copolymers allows self-assembly of spherical micelles and worm-like micelles with varied diameters and aspect ratios, revealing a range of diameters from 60 to 160 nm. Moreover, these nanostructures exhibit diverse morphologies, including spherical micelles and worm-like micelles, enabling delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Wang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China
| | - Ying Tang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China
| | - Xinhui Kou
- Key Laboratory of Biobased Polymer Materials, Shandong Provincial Education Department, Analyses and Testing Center, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China
| | - Junyi Chen
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China
| | - Kevin J Edgar
- Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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Wang S, Lu MY, Wan SK, Lyu CY, Tian ZY, Liu K, Lu H. Precision Synthesis of Polysarcosine via Controlled Ring-Opening Polymerization of N-Carboxyanhydride: Fast Kinetics, Ultrahigh Molecular Weight, and Mechanistic Insights. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:5678-5692. [PMID: 38359327 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The rapid and controlled synthesis of high-molecular-weight (HMW) polysarcosine (pSar), a potential polyethylene glycol (PEG) alternative, via the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) is rare and challenging. Here, we report the well-controlled ROP of sarcosine NCA (Sar-NCA) that is catalyzed by various carboxylic acids, which accelerate the polymerization rate up to 50 times, and enables the robust synthesis of pSar with an unprecedented ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) up to 586 kDa (DP ∼ 8200) and exceptionally narrow dispersity (D̵) below 1.05. Mechanistic experiments and density functional theory calculations together elucidate the role of carboxylic acid as a bifunctional catalyst that significantly facilitates proton transfer processes and avoids charge separation and suggest the ring opening of NCA, rather than decarboxylation, as the rate-determining step. UHMW pSar demonstrates improved thermal and mechanical properties over the low-molecular-weight counterparts. This work provides a simple yet highly efficient approach to UHMW pSar and generates a new fundamental understanding useful not only for the ROP of Sar-NCA but also for other NCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ming-Yuan Lu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Si-Kang Wan
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chun-Yan Lyu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zi-You Tian
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hua Lu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Chung KY, Uddin A, Page ZA. Record release of tetramethylguanidine using a green light activated photocage for rapid synthesis of soft materials. Chem Sci 2023; 14:10736-10743. [PMID: 37829029 PMCID: PMC10566505 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04130a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Photocages have enabled spatiotemporally governed organic materials synthesis with applications ranging from tissue engineering to soft robotics. However, the reliance on high energy UV light to drive an often inefficient uncaging process limits their utility. These hurdles are particularly evident for more reactive cargo, such as strong organobases, despite their attractive potential to catalyze a range of chemical transformations. Herein, two metal-free boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) photocages bearing tetramethylguanidine (TMG) cargo are shown to induce rapid and efficient polymerizations upon exposure to a low intensity green LED. A suite of spectroscopic characterization tools were employed to identify the underlying uncaging and polymerization mechanisms, while also determining reaction quantum efficiencies. The results are directly compared to state-of-the-art TMG-bearing ortho-nitrobenzyl and coumainylmethyl photocages, finding that the present BODIPY derivatives enable step-growth polymerizations that are >10× faster than the next best performing photocage. As a final demonstration, the inherent multifunctionality of the present BODIPY platform in releasing radicals from one half of the molecule and TMG from the other is leveraged to prepare polymers with starkly disparate physical properties. The present findings are anticipated to enable new applications of photocages in both small-molecule photochemistry for medicine and advanced manufacturing of next generation soft materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-You Chung
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas 78712 USA
| | - Ain Uddin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas 78712 USA
| | - Zachariah A Page
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas 78712 USA
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Lv W, Wang Y, Li M, Wang X, Tao Y. Precision Synthesis of Polypeptides via Living Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerization of N-Carboxyanhydrides by Tri-thiourea Catalysts. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:23622-23632. [PMID: 36533423 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c10950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The chemistry of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) has a history of over 100 years, but precise and efficient ring-opening polymerization methods for NCAs remain highly needed to facilitate the studies of polypeptides─that is, mimics of natural proteins─in various disciplines. Moreover, the universally accepted NCA polymerization mechanisms are largely limited to the "amine" and the "activated monomer" mechanisms, and the anionic ring-opening polymerization of NCAs has so far not been invoked. Herein, we show an unprecedented anion-binding catalytic system combining tripodal tri-thiourea with sodium thiophenolate that enables the fast and selective anionic ring-opening polymerization of NCAs. This method leads to the precision construction of various polypeptides with living polymerization behavior and is evidenced by narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn < 1.2), chain extension experiments, and minimal "activated monomer" pathway. Calculations and experimental results elucidate a living anionic polymerization mechanism, and high selectivities for monomer propagation relative to other deleterious side reactions, such as the "activated monomer" pathway, are attributed to the enhanced stabilization of the propagating carbamate anion, which is enforced by an intramolecular hydrogen bond within the tri-thiourea structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Lv
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Renmin Street 5625, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanchao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Renmin Street 5625, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Maosheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Renmin Street 5625, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianhong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Renmin Street 5625, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
| | - Youhua Tao
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Renmin Street 5625, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
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Liu Y, Zhao C, Chen C. Chirality-Governed UCST Behavior in Polypeptides. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yali Liu
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Specialty Polymers, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Chuanzhuang Zhao
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Specialty Polymers, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Chongyi Chen
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Specialty Polymers, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
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