Natural materials have been a source of inspiration to polymer chemists in the design of well-defined materials with advanced functionalities. The utility of biomacromolecules is a result of a specific three-dimensional shape with precise placement of functionality on the surface of the structure or its interior. Polymer chemists strive to create a bottom-up, controlled construction of materials with comparable precision demonstrated in natural materials. A technique that represents a significant step towards these ends is the collapse of single polymer chains in highly dilute solution. The resultant structures are termed single-chain nanoparticles (SCNP). A variety of crosslinking chemistries have been reported over the years. However, detailed research on the length and flexibility of pendent groups in relation to folding efficiency has not been thoroughly explored.<br/>Herein, a series of poly(norbornene imide) with pendant methacryloyl groups were synthesized through ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The designed polymers have various spacing between the polymerizable methacryloyl pendant groups and the polymer backbone. Upon radical initiation, intra-chain radical polymerization occurs, resulting in chain folding of the linear poly(norbornene imide) to form nanoparticles. The effect of length and flexibility of pendant groups on folding efficiency was monitored by GPC and NMR.<br/>

Effect of pendant groups on fabrication of poly(norbornene imide) single-chain nanoparticles

256th National Meeting (2018)

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