Towards a synthetic macromolecular platform for biocompatible organometallic catalysis: From controlled polymer synthesis to catalysis in complex biological media

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.