Oligosaccharide-based block copolymers: Metal-free thiol-maleimide click conjugation and self-assembly into nanoparticles

- A thiol function was readily introduced to the reducing-end of oligosaccharides.
- Oligosaccharide-b-polystyrene were prepared by metal-free thiol-maleimide addition.
- Amphiphilic OBCPs self-assembled in water into spherical nanoparticles.