Single-chain nanoparticles (SCNP) present a synthetic route to feature-rich macromolecules. These three-dimensional nanomaterials are prepared by the intramolecular cross-linking of polymers decorated with active pendants. This collapse process results in the reduction of the hydrodynamic radius of the polymer. In this work, a dually-functional norbornene imide monomer was prepared. The design features two orthogonal polymerizable units, the first of which can undergo reversible addition fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization to produce a primary polymer structure, and the second of which can undergo ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) producing a secondary structure through cross-linking. The monomer was then incorporated in varying percentages to a methacrylate backbone using RAFT; examples with 15, 30, and 50 percent functional incorporation were prepared and collapsed using Grubb’s 3<sup>rd</sup> generation catalyst. An increase in retention time was observed by GPC, suggesting a decrease in the hydrodynamic radius, which is consistent with the formation of SCNP. The effect of incorporation on collapse efficiency was examined.

Fabrication of polymer nanoparticles via intrachain ring-opening metathesis polymerizations (ROMP)

255th National Meeting (2018)

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