H-bonding-directed self-assembly of synthetic copolymers containing nucleobases: organization and colloidal fusion in a noncompetitive solvent.
The self-organization of random copolymers composed of a nucleobase monomer (either 1-(4-vinylbenzyl)thymine or 9-(4-vinylbenzyl)adenine) and dodecyl methacrylate (DMA) was studied in dilute chloroform solutions. The balance between the molar fractions of the nucleobase monomer (leading to intermolecular H-bonding) and DMA (soluble moiety in chloroform) in the polymer chains was found to be the parameter that principally influences the self-organization. DMA-rich copolymers are molecularly soluble in chloroform, whereas nucleobase-rich copolymers are insoluble in this solvent. Copolymers possessing an equimolar comonomer composition self-assemble into micrometer-sized particles physically cross-linked by intermolecular H-bonds (either thymine-thymine or adenine-adenine interactions, depending on the studied copolymer). Nevertheless, when mixed together, thymine- and adenine-based colloids fuse into thermodynamically stable microspheres cross linked by adenine-thymine interactions.
Lutz
Jean-François
JF
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research, Geiselbergstrasse 69, 14476 Potsdam, Germany. lutz@iap.fhg.de
Pfeifer
Sebastian
S
Chanana
Munish
M
Thünemann
Andreas F
AF
Bienert
Ralf
R
D001554:Benzene / Q000737:chemistry*; D002725:Chloroform / Q000737:chemistry*; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011684:Purine Nucleosides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011741:Pyrimidine Nucleosides / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
D003102:Colloids; D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; D011684:Purine Nucleosides; D011741:Pyrimidine Nucleosides; D012997:Solvents; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; C115846:dodecyl methacrylate; D002725:Chloroform; D001554:Benzene