Star-shaped poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) featuring a porphyrin core: Synthesis and metal complexation

Abstract

We demonstrate the synthesis of star-shaped poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) featuring a porphyrin core starting from alkyne-functionalized porphyrin ([TPP-TB]4) and azide-functionalized poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx- N3) via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The porphyrin core was further utilized for the complexation of either copper or iron within the central cavity. The obtained materials were investigated using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultravioletvisible spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography, and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In the case of copper, the inclusion of the metal ion was achieved in a one-pot reaction during the CuAAC reaction for attaching the PEtOx-N3 arms.