The evolution of nanostructured materials that originate from the supramolecular assembly of macromolecular building blocks, from relatively simple overall shapes and internal morphologies to those of increasing complexity, is driving the development of synthetic methodologies that allow for the preparation of increasingly complex macromolecular structures.  Moreover, the inclusion of functional units within selective compartments/domains is of great importance to create (multi)functional materials.  We have a special interest in the study of nanoscopic macromolecules, with well-defined composition, structure and topology, as components that are programmed for the formation of sophisticated nanoscopic objects in solution.  Combinations of controlled radical and ring opening polymerizations, chemical transformations, and supramolecular assembly are employed to construct such materials as functional entities.  This presentation will highlight our recent work that utilizes block copolymers as building blocks for the preparation of asymmetric nanoscopic objects�through processes that involve assembly followed by covalent stabilization and chemical manipulation vs. processes that rely on covalent connection into regiochemically-functionalized molecular brush topologies and lead to unusual self-assembled nanoscopic morphologies.  The synthesis, characterization and manipulation of Janus-type surface-functionalized nanoparticles, concentrically- and linearly-asymmetric molecular brush block copolymers, and topologically dumbbell-shaped molecular brush block copolymers will each be described.

Simple strategies to afford functionally-sophisticated nanoscopic macromolecules as discrete objects and supramolecular assemblies

245th National Meeting (2013)

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