DNA block copolymers were synthesized in high yields and with easy purification by incorporating an Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) initiator on the DNA and directly grafting polymer from it. This process was simplified by performing both the DNA synthesis and ATRP inside an automated MerMade4 DNA Synthesizer. The synthesizer was fitted with a UV source to prepare well-defined polymers using PhotoATRP at ambient temperature. Linear first order kinetic plots were observed for ATRP of <i>n</i>-butyl acrylate and experimental MWs closely matched the theoretical values. This method was extended to different acrylates and methacrylates, solvents (MeCN, DMSO) and light sources (Optical fibers, UV lamp). Diblock copolymers were synthesized with varied targeted degrees of polymerization (10, 50, 100) and showed high retention of chain-end functionality. Both hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers were grafted from DNA macroinitiator to prepare well-defined hybrids. These results indicate a highly efficient and automated method for controlled synthesis of DNA-polymer hybrids.

AutoATRP: Automated synthesis of DNA-polymer hybrids

254th National Meeting (2017)

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