Synthesis of functionalized polymer particles using poly(vinyl ether)-based sequential macromonomers with controlled architecture

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Polymer particles having functional groups on their surfaces are attracting much interest in a variety of scientific field. In this study, monodisperse functionalized polymer particles were synthesized by employing poly(vinyl ether)-based macromonomers with various pendant functions. Functionalized vinyl ethers(VEs) (CH_2=CH-OR, R:-CH_2CH_2OCH_2CH_2OCH_3, glucose residue) were subjected to living cationic polymerization initiated by CH_3CH(Cl)OCH_2CH_2OCOC(CH_3)=CH_2/ZnI_2 to give homopolymer-type and sequential (block copolymer-type) amphiphilic macromonomers with well-defined structure. SEM and TEM observation revealed that monodispersed polymer particles in the size of submicron range were successfully prepared through dispersion copolymerization of the macromonomer and styrene(St) in ethanol/water or emulsion copolymerization of them. Effects of the macromonomer structures and polymerization conditions on the size and shape of the polymer particles were also investigated. The dried … More polymer particles were capable of forming stable aqueous dispersions, suggesting the poly VE chains are located on the particle surfaces and improve the dispersion stability. Moreover, the glucose residues on the surfaces of glucose-coated particles were quantitatively analyzed. The glucose-coated particles in stable dispersions were found to be precipitated upon the addition of the glucose-binding protein, Con A. The precipitation was due to the cross-linking between the glucose residues on the particle surfaces with Con A.This study also describes the synthesis of a novel amphiphilic macromonomer with controlled structure and a styrenic end group by living cationic polymerization of VEs, and the preparation of functionalized polymer particles by dispersion copolymerization. Living polymers obtained by living cationic polymerization of methoxyethoxyethyl VE were treated with H_2O/HCl to give the precursor polymer with an aldehyde end group. Poly(VE)-based styrenic macromonomer (St-PMEEVE) was then synthesized by reductive amination of the aldehyde-capped precursor with 4-vinyl benzyl amine in the presence of NaBH(OAc)_3. Dispersion copolymerization of St and St-PMEEVE was carried out in ethanol/water to afford spherical polymer particles in the size of submicron range. Less