Stimuli-responsive molecular brushes are being prepared to selectively disassemble in response to changes in redox potential.  We report on the preparation of macromonomers via post-polymerization modification of polymers produced by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with novel methanethiosulfonate-functional oxanorbornenes.  Subsequent polymerization of oxanorbornene-functional macromonomers by ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) affords the corresponding molecular brushes in a controlled fashion.  This versatile route facilitates use of �off-the-shelf� styrenic-, acrylamido-, and acrylate-based RAFT polymers prepared under conditions specific to the monomer-type (e.g. polymerization in aqueous or organic media) for convenient synthesis of a variety of molecular brush polymers.  Polymer brushes containing disulfide-linked side chains were shown to selectively and rapidly disassemble under intracellular conditions making them potentially useful as polymeric nanotherapeutics.

RAFT polymer-based molecular brushes that demonstrate reduction-triggered disassembly

247th National Meeting (2014)

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