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Precise Synthesis of PS‐PLA Janus Star‐Like Copolymer
Author(s) -
Fan Xiaoshan,
Win Khin Yin,
Hu Zhiguo,
Loh Xian Jun,
Li Zibiao
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201800217
Subject(s) - copolymer , janus , polymer chemistry , atom transfer radical polymerization , materials science , monomer , dendrimer , polymerization , polystyrene , ring opening polymerization , radical polymerization , moiety , styrene , polymer , chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , composite material
In this work, an efficient strategy is designed for the precise synthesis of novel Janus star‐like copolymer (polystyrene) 8 ‐ b ‐(poly( l ‐lactide)) 8 , (PLLA) 8 ‐ b ‐(PS) 8 , consisting of two types of chemically distinct polymer arms, PS and PLLA, in an asymmetric structure. During the synthesis, PLLA hemisphere carrying protected hydroxyl groups at the focal point was first synthesized via a combined reactions of esterification, light‐induced “Click” chemistry, and ring opening polymerization (ROP) using a specially designed dendron as initiator. After removing the protecting moiety, the terminal hydroxyl groups on the dendron segment is increased fourfold and further modified into bromopropionate‐based macroinitiator through a two‐step end group transformation reaction, followed by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene to obtain the desired (PLLA) 8 ‐ b‐ (PS) 8 Janus star‐like copolymer. The versatility and efficiency of the designed synthetic strategy are demonstrated by the well‐defined molecular characteristics and high yields of the targeted product. In addition to the controlled degradation behavior of the PLLA segments, the remaining bromide groups located at the distal end of PS arms could allow for further fabrication of diverse building blocks through consecutive ATRP of various monomers. This work signifies the first time for facile and precise synthesis of Janus star‐like copolymer with unique biphasic structure and function control.