Structural control and functionalization of thermoresponsive nanogels: turning cross-linking points into anchoring groups

WOLFEL, ALEXIS; WANG, HUIYI; OSORIO-BLANCO, ERNESTO RAFAEL; BERGUEIRO, JULIAN; ROMERO, MARCELO RICARDO; ALVAREZ IGARZABAL, CECILIA INÉS; CALDERÓN, MARCELO

Polymer Chemistry

Royal Society of Chemistry

Año: 2023 vol. 14 p. 2998 - 2998

1759-9954

dvancements in nanogel (NG) applications require precise control over their size, structure, and functionalization. However, synthesis methods have limitations that hinder the incorporation of some functional groups and hamper the architectural control over NGs. In this work, we developed a facile post-synthesis reaction strategy to modify the structure and functionalization of thermoresponsive NGs. Specifically, we studied the incorporation of a cleavable crosslinker, (+)-N,N′-diallyltartardiamide (DAT), in the synthesis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (p-NIPAm), poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (p-NIPMAm), and p-NIPAm-co-NIPMAm-based NGs. The efficient cleavage of DAT-crosslinks by sodium periodate enables control over the crosslinking degree and architecture of the NGs. This cleavage reaction also introduces alpha-oxoaldehydes (glyoxylic groups), which can be used for subsequent bio-conjugation under mild conditions. The incorporation of DAT-crosslinks in the NG architecture is