title: Synthesis of well-defined glycopolymers and some studies of their aqueous solution behaviour.
abstract: Well-defined polymers with carbohydrate residues pendant to the main chain (glycopolymers) were prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. Excellent control over molecular weight and narrow polydispersities (1.1-1.2) were achieved over a range of molecular weights. In addition, efficient synthesis of block copolymers by sequential monomer addition with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic non-carbohydrate blocks was demonstrated. The aqueous solution behaviour of amphiphilic block glycopolymers was investigated, revealing the formation of multivalent carbohydrate-bearing aggregates in solution with the capability for the solubilisation of hydrophobic species (a water-insoluble dye). One such amphiphilic glycopolymer shows by TEM the formation of a worm-like micelle phase. Further investigations of these novel bioactive macromolecular assemblies are underway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK DH1 3LE.
authors.forename: Neil R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Sebastian G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Spain
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kingham
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weck
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Albertin
authors.forename: Carl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smart
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blanazs
mesh_terms: D008970:Molecular Weight; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides; D012996:Solutions