Thermoresponsive Interplay of Water Insoluble Poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s Composition and Supramolecular Host–Guest Interactions

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Victor R. de la Rosa²  Werner M. Nau¹  Richard Hoogenboom²  Graeme Cooke³ 

[1] Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, D 28759 Bremen, Germany; E-Mail:;Supramolecular Chemistry Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; E-Mail:;Supramolecular Chemistry Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; E-Mail

关键词: Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST);    temperature responsive polymers;    poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s;    cyclodextrins;    cucurbit[7]uril;    supramolecular interactions;    nanoparticles;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms16047428

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

A series of water insoluble poly[(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-ran-(2-nonyl-2-oxazoline)] amphiphilic copolymers was synthesized and their solubility properties in the presence of different supramolecular host molecules were investigated. The resulting polymer-cavitand assemblies exhibited a thermoresponsive behavior that could be modulated by variation of the copolymer composition and length. Interestingly, the large number of hydrophobic nonyl units across the polymer chain induced the formation of kinetically-trapped nanoparticles in solution. These nanoparticles further agglomerate into larger aggregates at a temperature that is dependent on the polymer composition and the cavitand type and concentration. The present research expands the understanding on the supramolecular interactions between water insoluble copolymers and supramolecular host molecules.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.