Synthesis of Shape Amphiphiles Based on POSS Tethered with Two Symmetric/Asymmetric Polymer Tails via Sequential “Grafting-from” and Thiol–Ene “Click” Chemistry

Abstract

A series of shape amphiphiles based on functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) head tethered with two polymeric tails of symmetric or asymmetric compositions was designed and synthesized using sequential “grafting-from” and “click” surface functionalization. The monofunctionalization of octavinylPOSS was performed using thiol–ene chemistry to afford a dihydroxyl-functionalized POSS that was further derived into precisely defined homo- and heterobifunctional macroinitiators. Polymer tails, such as polycaprolactone and polystyrene, could then be grown from these POSS-based macroinitiators with controlled molecular weight via ring-opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The vinyl groups on POSS were found to be compatible with ATRP conditions. These macromolecular precursors were further modified by thiol–ene chemistry to install surface functionalities onto the POSS cage. The polymer chain composition and POSS surface chemistry can thus be tuned separately in a modular and efficient way