Polymers containing isonitrile functional groups as supports for the covalent fixation of biologically active molecules

Abstract

1) Isonitrile derivatives of synthetic polyamides, polyesters and polyalcohols, of polysaccharides such as cellulose, cross-linked dextran and agarose, linear dextran and of cross-linked and linear polyacrylamide were prepared. 2) Proteins and low-molecular-weight ligands were bound covalently to these materials by four-component reactions involving the -NC function on the polymer, amino or carboxyl groups deriving from the ligand, aldehyde and the complementary fourth component (-COOH or - NH2) being added to the aqueous reaction medium. 3) Supports of modified surface properties could be prepared by grafting of water-soluble macromolecules containing -NC groups onto preformed polymeric structures. 4) The isonitrile functional groups on polymers could be transformed into other types of functional groups by simple one-step reactions.