Abstract
Segregation and templating approaches have been honed by billions of years of evolution to direct many complex biological processes. Nature uses segregation to improve biochemical control by organizing reactants into defined, well-regulated environments, and the transfer of genetic information is a primary function of templating. The ribosome, wherein messenger RNA is translated into polypeptides, combines both techniques to allow for ideal biopolymer syntheses. Herein is presented a biomimetic segregation/templating approach to synthetic radical polymerization. Polymerization of a nucleobase-containing vinyl monomer in the presence of a complementary block copolymer template of low molecular weight yields high molecular weight (M w up to ∼400,000 g mol -1), extremely low polydispersity (≤1.08) daughter polymers. Control is attained by segregation of propagating radicals in discrete micelle cores (via cooperative assembly of dynamic template polymers). Significantly reduced bimolecular termination, combined with controlled propagation along a defined number of templates, ensures unprecedented control to afford well-defined high molecular weight polymers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 491-497 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Nature Chemistry |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Biomimetic radical polymerization via cooperative assembly of segregating templates. / McHale, R.; Patterson, J.P.; Zetterlund, P.B.; O'Reilly, R.K.
In: Nature Chemistry, Vol. 4, No. 6, 06.2012, p. 491-497.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Biomimetic radical polymerization via cooperative assembly of segregating templates
AU - McHale, R.
AU - Patterson, J.P.
AU - Zetterlund, P.B.
AU - O'Reilly, R.K.
PY - 2012/6
Y1 - 2012/6
N2 - Segregation and templating approaches have been honed by billions of years of evolution to direct many complex biological processes. Nature uses segregation to improve biochemical control by organizing reactants into defined, well-regulated environments, and the transfer of genetic information is a primary function of templating. The ribosome, wherein messenger RNA is translated into polypeptides, combines both techniques to allow for ideal biopolymer syntheses. Herein is presented a biomimetic segregation/templating approach to synthetic radical polymerization. Polymerization of a nucleobase-containing vinyl monomer in the presence of a complementary block copolymer template of low molecular weight yields high molecular weight (M w up to ∼400,000 g mol -1), extremely low polydispersity (≤1.08) daughter polymers. Control is attained by segregation of propagating radicals in discrete micelle cores (via cooperative assembly of dynamic template polymers). Significantly reduced bimolecular termination, combined with controlled propagation along a defined number of templates, ensures unprecedented control to afford well-defined high molecular weight polymers.
AB - Segregation and templating approaches have been honed by billions of years of evolution to direct many complex biological processes. Nature uses segregation to improve biochemical control by organizing reactants into defined, well-regulated environments, and the transfer of genetic information is a primary function of templating. The ribosome, wherein messenger RNA is translated into polypeptides, combines both techniques to allow for ideal biopolymer syntheses. Herein is presented a biomimetic segregation/templating approach to synthetic radical polymerization. Polymerization of a nucleobase-containing vinyl monomer in the presence of a complementary block copolymer template of low molecular weight yields high molecular weight (M w up to ∼400,000 g mol -1), extremely low polydispersity (≤1.08) daughter polymers. Control is attained by segregation of propagating radicals in discrete micelle cores (via cooperative assembly of dynamic template polymers). Significantly reduced bimolecular termination, combined with controlled propagation along a defined number of templates, ensures unprecedented control to afford well-defined high molecular weight polymers.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84862882968&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/nchem.1331
DO - 10.1038/nchem.1331
M3 - Article
C2 - 22614385
AN - SCOPUS:84862882968
VL - 4
SP - 491
EP - 497
JO - Nature Chemistry
JF - Nature Chemistry
SN - 1755-4330
IS - 6
ER -