Intramolecular Folding of Coil-Helix Block Copolymers Induced by Quadrupole Interactions.

Abstract

True tertiary architectures with defined local secondary structures are rare in synthetic systems. Adapting well-developed synthetic building blocks and controlling their folding through diverse interactions can be a general approach towards this goal. In this contribution, we report the synthesis of 3D hierarchical assemblies with distinct secondary domains formed through the intramolecular folding of a block copolymer containing a coil-like poly(styrene) (PS) block with a helical poly(isocyanide) (PIC) block induced by phenyl-pentafluorophenyl quadrupole interactions. The PS block is prepared via atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and end functionalized with a nickel complex that serves as a macroinitiator for the polymerization of chiral isocyanides bearing pentafluorophenyl pendants. The folding behavior of the coil-helix block copolymers is investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), NMR spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.