The goal of this research is on the development of ROMP (Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization) polymers containing the functional groups 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperdin-1-oxyl (TEMPO) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Both functional groups are known to have a detoxifying effect on cell-free hemoglobin and affect vasodilation in the bloodstream. The polymers when bonded to cell-free hemoglobin may be useful for the treatment of severe traumatic brain injuries as they convert the reactive oxygen species (ROS), in particular the superoxide anion, released by the cell-free hemoglobin into less harmful species. Such modified hemoglobin solutions could be used as a blood substitute with an improved shelf life than donor blood and while possessing a high compatibility with any recipient. Our focus is designing a synthesis that can connect these functionalities to a modified (oxa)norbornene monomer template using the Huisgen 1,3-cycloaddition reaction, also known as the click reaction. We found that the click reaction can be performed with two protocols, 1) the use of copper (I) iodide in acetone at room temperature and 2) the use of copper (II) sulfate, ascorbic acid and sodium bicarbonate in a methanol/water mixture. The controlled ROMP the strained norbonene entity with a 3<sup>rd</sup> generation Grubbs-type olefin metathesis catalyst provides a polymer with a controlled functional group density and function group composition.

Incorporation of TEMPO and PEG functionalities into ROMP polymers via click reaction

251st National Meeting (2016)

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