This presentation will describe the preparation of new zwitterionic polymers and copolymers that are designed for localization at fluid-fluid interfaces and stabilization of oil-in-water and water-in-oil droplets. In particular, we are interested in polymers that incorporate key features from biology into the backbone, including structural components (such as zwitterions) and functional activity (such as recognition and transport). To augment the classic biocompatible and hydrophilic properties of zwitterions, we prepare functional versions of zwitterions that are amenable to participation in reactive and coordination chemistry, including nucelophilic substitution, cycloaddition and other "click"-like reactions, and metal-ligand interactions. Especially intersesting are recent results on polymers with reactive zwitterions, such as sulfothetins and alkyne-functionalized choline phosphates, which simultaneously stabilize droplets and recognize reagents on substrates and in solution for their capture, transport, and release.

Polymer zwitterions as biomacromolecular materials: reactive surfactants and biomimicry

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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