title: Sequence-controlled methacrylic multiblock copolymers via sulfur-free RAFT emulsion polymerization.
abstract: Translating the precise monomer sequence control achieved in nature over macromolecular structure (for example, DNA) to whole synthetic systems has been limited due to the lack of efficient synthetic methodologies. So far, chemists have only been able to synthesize monomer sequence-controlled macromolecules by means of complex, time-consuming and iterative chemical strategies such as solid-state Merrifield-type approaches or molecularly dissolved solution-phase systems. Here, we report a rapid and quantitative synthesis of sequence-controlled multiblock polymers in discrete stable nanoscale compartments via an emulsion polymerization approach in which a vinyl-terminated macromolecule is used as an efficient chain-transfer agent. This approach is environmentally friendly, fully translatable to industry and thus represents a significant advance in the development of complex macromolecule synthesis, where a high level of molecular precision or monomer sequence control confers potential for molecular targeting, recognition and biocatalysis, as well as molecular information storage.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Warwick, Library Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Nikolaos G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Engelis
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Warwick, Library Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.|ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 399 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3152, Australia.
authors.forename: Athina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anastasaki
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Warwick, Library Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Gabit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nurumbetov
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 399 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3152, Australia.
authors.forename: Nghia P
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9900-2644
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Warwick, Library Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nikolaou
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Warwick, Library Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Ataulla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shegiwal
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 399 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3152, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Warwick, Library Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.|ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 399 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3152, Australia.
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Warwick, Library Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.|ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 399 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3152, Australia.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Haddleton