Radical ring-opening polymerization of novel azlactone-functionalized vinyl cyclopropanes

Abstract : Azlactone-functionalized polymers are considered powerful materials for bioconjugation and many other applications. However, the limited number of azlactone monomers available and their multistage syntheses pose major challenges for the preparation of new reactive polymers from these monomers. In this article, we report the synthesis of a new class of azlactone monomers based on vinylcyclopropane (VCP). Furthermore, the (co)polymerization of the azlactone-functionalized VCPs has been successfully demonstrated to provide new azlactone polymers by using free-radical polymerization. The ability of the resulting amine-reactive polymers to be engaged in post-polymerization modifications was demonstrated using dansylcadaverine. These new azlactone-functionalized VCP monomers and polymers are potential candidates for the synthesis of innovative (bio)materials.