Synthesis of PPV-b-PEG block copolymers via CuAAC conjugation

• PPV polymers with well-defined endgroups and chain length have been synthesized.
• Clickable endgroups are embedded in the anionic polymerization initiator.
• PPV-PEG block copolymers were synthesized via CuAAC reactions.
• The obtained block copolymers show self-assembly behavior.

The synthesis of amphiphilic rod-coil block copolymers with a poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) rod-like block using a Click chemistry approach is investigated and a facile reaction pathway towards poly(p-phenylene vinylene)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PPV-b-PEG) block copolymers is presented. To reach this aim, an alkyne-functionalized PPV block (synthesized from anionic sulfinyl precursor route polymerization) was synthesized and subsequently coupled to azide-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) of different lengths. Self-assembly of these materials in aqueous solution demonstrate successful micelle formation with core–shell morphology and different sizes for these PPV-b-PEG block copolymers as is confirmed by TEM and DLS measurements respectively.

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