Towards a Synthetic Macromolecular Platform for Biocompatible Organometallic Catalysis: 

From Controlled Polymer Synthesis to Catalysis in Complex Biological Media.

W. Lai, M. Li, Y. Liu*

Giant 2023, DOI:10.1016/j.giant.2023.100148

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666542523000103

Abstract:

Incorporation of organometallic catalysts within macromolecular scaffolds is a promising approach to constructing biocompatible catalytic systems. Here, we report our recent progress in establishing a modular synthetic platform to prepare di-block brush-arm star copolymers (DBSPs), which were further used as scaffolds to construct catalytic systems that can function in complex biological media. First, a novel convergent graft-to approach based on ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and enyne metathesis mediated conjugation was developed to synthesize DBSPs. By introducing active esters, functional DBSPs can be rapidly accessed through post-polymerization modification. DBSPs with fluorescent or radial probes were prepared, enabling structure-property study of the DBSPs. Further incorporation of organometallic catalysts into the DBSPs via either covalent conjugation or physical encapsulation afforded catalytic systems that are active in cellular environments.