Abstract:Stimuli-responsive poly(alpha-amino acids) (P alpha AAs) are protein mimics that can alter their conformational or other physicochemical properties in response to external triggers. We report here the synthesis and characterization of novel photo and thermal responsive P alpha AAs by the ring-opening polymerization of alpha-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs). Specifically, a series of NCA monomers bearing azobenzene (Azo) and oligoethylene glycol (OEG) of different lengths (OEG(m)-AzoNCA, m = 2, 4, 6) are synthesized in a modular route and polymerized in a controlled manner using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) as the initiator. The afforded P(OEG(m)-Azo)(n)s show interesting aggregation behaviors in both organic and aqueous solutions. Moreover, P(OEG(m)-Azo)(n)s exhibit a reversible photo-responsiveness accompanied by the conformational switch of the peptidic backbone, and an irreversible thermal-responsiveness. This new biodegradable and stimuli-responsive system holds considerable promise for applications such as on-demand delivery, liquid crystalline, and hierarchical self-assembly.
Volume:7
Issue:41
Translation or Not:no