Solid-phase synthesis of polymers using the ring-opening metathesis polymerization.
We report a general method for the solid-phase synthesis of polymers via the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The method involves polymerization in solution to form a block copolymer, immobilization of the polymer via reaction of one block with a resin-bound functional group, modification of the other block, and liberation of the polymer from the resin. We demonstrated the utility of this approach by generating a block copolymer with an N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester-substituted block (for on-resin functionalization) and a maleimide-substituted block (for conjugation to the resin). We showed that the Diels-Alder reaction can be employed to immobilize the polymers and that amines of diverse structure can be used to modify the resin-bound polymers. The reversibility of the furan-maleimide Diels-Alder adduct was exploited to liberate the polymer from the support. Specifically, treatment of the resin with cyclopentadiene resulted in complete polymer release. The resulting polymers are functional: they were as potent in assays with the lectin concanavalin A as polymers generated by traditional solution routes. We anticipate that this method can be used for the rapid synthesis of diverse polymers via ROMP.
Pontrello
Jason K
JK
Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Allen
Matthew J
MJ
Underbakke
Eric S
ES
Kiessling
Laura L
LL
D004952:Esters / Q000737:chemistry; D007103:Immobilization; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis*
D004952:Esters; D011108:Polymers