Hybrid Multiblock Copolymers of 2-Oxazoline and Acrylates via Cu-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition Step-Growth Mechanism

Abstract

Multiblock copolymers exhibit interesting self-assembly behaviors owing to their repetitive block structure. Incompatible chemical structures of each block enable unprecedented self-assembled structures and create a wide range of new applications including the ability to blend immiscible polymers. Although multiblock structures of the same monomer classes are well reported, the combination of different classes such as 2-oxazolines and acrylates in a hybrid multiblock structure has never been studied previously. Herein, we report a relatively simple synthetic approach including a detailed evaluation of reaction parameters. Thus, the effect of acrylate monomer type, block length, and solvent composition was investigated and found to influence the linear growth versus cyclization. Finally, selected hybrid multiblock copolymers designed in this study were self-assembled in aqueous media forming stomatocyte-like nanoparticles.