Title
Cyclic poly(alpha-peptoid)s and their block copolymers from N-heterocyclic carbene-mediated ring-opening polymerizations of N-substituted N-carboxylanhydrides
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-23-2009
Abstract
N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-mediated ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of N-substituted N-carboxylanhydride ((N)R-NCA) yields cyclic poly(alpha-peptoid)s with controlled molecular weights (M(n) = 3-30 kg mol(-1)) and narrow molecular weight distributions (PDI = 1.04-1.12). The reactions exhibit characteristics of a living polymerization with minimal chain transfer. This enables the facile synthesis of cyclic diblock copoly(alpha-peptoid)s through sequential monomer addition. The cyclic polymer architectures were verified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and intrinsic viscosity measurements. Mark-Houwink-Sakurada plot analyses revealed that cyclic poly(alpha-peptoid)s prepared from NHC-mediated polymerizations exhibit lower intrinsic viscosities than their linear analogues prepared from primary amine-initiated polymerizations. The ratio of their intrinsic viscosities is consistent with the former being mostly cyclic.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Journal of the American Chemical Society
First Page
18072
Last Page
4
Recommended Citation
Guo, L., & Zhang, D. (2009). Cyclic poly(alpha-peptoid)s and their block copolymers from N-heterocyclic carbene-mediated ring-opening polymerizations of N-substituted N-carboxylanhydrides. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131 (50), 18072-4. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja907380d