@article{VacogneSchlaad2017,
  author    = {Vacogne, Charlotte D. and Schlaad, Helmut},
  title     = {Controlled ring-opening polymerization of alpha-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides in the presence of tertiary amines},
  series = {Polymer : the international journal for the science and technology of polymers},
  volume    = {124},
  journal   = {Polymer : the international journal for the science and technology of polymers},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0032-3861},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.polymer.2017.07.062},
  pages     = {203 -- 209},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {The mechanism of the primary ammonium/tertiary amine-mediated ring-opening polymerization of gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (BLG-NCA) was investigated. Kinetic analyses revealed that the normal amine mechanism (NAM) together with a dormant-active chain end equilibrium were responsible for the controlled nature of this polymerization pathway, but that the polymerization also proceeded via the activated monomer mechanism (AMM). Mixtures of primary amines (1 equiv) and tertiary amines (0-1.5 equiv) were therefore tested to confirm the co-existence of the NAM and AMM and determine the limits for a controlled polymerization. For tertiary amine molar fractions smaller than 0.8 equiv, the reaction times were greatly reduced (compared to primary amine-initiated polymerization) without compromising the control of the reaction. Hence, the polymerization of NCA can proceed in a controlled manner even when the AMM contributes to the overall chain growth mechanism. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Vacogne2016,
  author    = {Vacogne, Charlotte D.},
  title     = {New synthetic routes towards well-defined polypeptides, morphologies and hydrogels},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-396366},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {xii, 175},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Proteins are natural polypeptides produced by cells; they can be found in both animals and plants, and possess a variety of functions. One of these functions is to provide structural support to the surrounding cells and tissues. For example, collagen (which is found in skin, cartilage, tendons and bones) and keratin (which is found in hair and nails) are structural proteins. When a tissue is damaged, however, the supporting matrix formed by structural proteins cannot always spontaneously regenerate. Tailor-made synthetic polypeptides can be used to help heal and restore tissue formation. Synthetic polypeptides are typically synthesized by the so-called ring opening polymerization (ROP) of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCA). Such synthetic polypeptides are generally non-sequence-controlled and thus less complex than proteins. As such, synthetic polypeptides are rarely as efficient as proteins in their ability to self-assemble and form hierarchical or structural supramolecular assemblies in water, and thus, often require rational designing. In this doctoral work, two types of amino acids, γ-benzyl-L/D-glutamate (BLG / BDG) and allylglycine (AG), were selected to synthesize a series of (co)polypeptides of different compositions and molar masses. A new and versatile synthetic route to prepare polypeptides was developed, and its mechanism and kinetics were investigated. The polypeptide properties were thoroughly studied and new materials were developed from them. In particular, these polypeptides were able to aggregate (or self-assemble) in solution into microscopic fibres, very similar to those formed by collagen. By doing so, they formed robust physical networks and organogels which could be processed into high water-content, pH-responsive hydrogels. Particles with highly regular and chiral spiral morphologies were also obtained by emulsifying these polypeptides. Such polypeptides and the materials derived from them are, therefore, promising candidates for biomedical applications.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SeckerRobinsonSchlaad2015,
  author    = {Secker, Christian and Robinson, Joshua W. and Schlaad, Helmut},
  title     = {Alkyne-X modification of polypeptoids},
  series = {European polymer journal},
  volume    = {62},
  journal   = {European polymer journal},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0014-3057},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2014.08.028},
  pages     = {394 -- 399},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Poly(N-propargyl glycine) (PNPG) can be readily prepared by ring-opening polymerization of N-propargyl glycine N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) and modified using various addition reactions such as copper catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of azide, radical (photo-)addition of thiol, nucleophilic addition of ethylene oxide, and thermal induced cross-linking. It is demonstrated that PNPG can serve as a modular platform to produce a bibliography of novel functional polypeptoid or pseudopeptide materials, including polypeptoid ionic liquids and graft copolymers.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Robinson2013,
  author    = {Robinson, Joshua Wayne},
  title     = {Novel Poly(N-substituted glycine)s : synthesis, post-modification, and physical properties},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-64789},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Various synthetic approaches were explored towards the preparation of poly(N-substituted glycine) homo/co-polymers (a.k.a. polypeptoids). In particular, monomers that would facilitate in the preparation of bio-relevant polymers via either chain- or step-growth polymerization were targeted. A 3-step synthetic approach towards N-substituted glycine N-carboxyanhydrides (NNCA) was implemented, or developed, and optimized allowing for an efficient gram scale preparation of the aforementioned monomer (chain-growth). After exploring several solvents and various conditions, a reproducible and efficient ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of NNCAs was developed in benzonitrile (PhCN). However, achieving molecular weights greater than 7 kDa required longer reaction times (>4 weeks) and sub-sequentially allowed for undesirable competing side reactions to occur (eg. zwitterion monomer mechanisms). A bulk-polymerization strategy provided molecular weights up to 11 kDa within 24 hours but suffered from low monomer conversions (ca. 25\%). Likewise, a preliminary study towards alcohol promoted ROP of NNCAs suffered from impurities and a suspected alternative activated monomer mechanism (AAMM) providing poor inclusion of the initiator and leading to multi-modal dispersed polymeric systems. The post-modification of poly(N-allyl glycine) via thiol-ene photo-addition was observed to be quantitative, with the utilization of photo-initiators, and facilitated in the first glyco-peptoid prepared under environmentally benign conditions. Furthermore, poly(N-allyl glycine) demonstrated thermo-responsive behavior and could be prepared as a semi-crystalline bio-relevant polymer from solution (ie. annealing). Initial efforts in preparing these polymers via standard poly-condensation protocols were insufficient (step-growth). However, a thermally induced side-product, diallyl diketopiperazine (DKP), afforded the opportunity to explore photo-induced thiol-ene and acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerizations. Thiol-ene polymerization readily led to low molecular weight polymers (<2.5 kDa), that were insoluble in most solvents except heated amide solvents (ie. DMF), whereas ADMET polymerization, with diallyl DKP, was unsuccessful due to a suspected 6 member complexation/deactivation state of the catalyst. This understanding prompted the preparation of elongated DKPs most notably dibutenyl DKP. SEC data supports the aforementioned understanding but requires further optimization studies in both the preparation of the DKP monomers and following ADMET polymerization. This work was supported by NMR, GC-MS, FT-IR, SEC-IR, and MALDI-Tof MS characterization. Polymer properties were measured by UV-Vis, TGA, and DSC.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Kukula2001,
  author    = {Kukula, Hildegard},
  title     = {Lineare und verzweigte Blockcopolymere aus Polypeptiden und synthetischen Polymeren},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0000040},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2001},
  abstract  = {Die vorliegende Arbeit besch{\"a}ftigt sich mit der Synthese und den Eigenschaften von linearen und verzweigten amphiphilen Polypeptid-Blockcopolymeren. Die Frage nach dem Einfluss der Topologie und Konformation der Blockcopolymere auf die supramolekularen und kolloidalen Eigenschaften bildete einen wichtigen Aspekt bei den Untersuchungen. Die Blockcopolymere wurden nach einem mehrstufigen Reaktionsschema durch Kombination von anionischer und ring{\"o}ffnender Polymerisation von Aminos{\"a}uren-N-Carboxyanhydriden (NCA) synthetisiert. Die Untersuchung der Polypeptid-Blockcopolymere hinsichtlich ihres Aggregationsverhaltens in fester Phase sowie in verd{\"u}nnter w{\"a}ssriger L{\"o}sung erfolgte mittels Streumethoden (SAXS, WAXS, DLS) sowie abbildender Methoden (TEM). Durch Einsatz der Blockcopolymere als polymere Stabilisatoren in der Emulsionspolymerisation wurden Oberfl{\"a}chen funktionalisierte Latizes erhalten. Als Beispiel f{\"u}r eine pharmazeutische Anwendung wurden biovertr{\"a}gliche Polypeptid-Blockcopolymere als Wirkstoff-Tr{\"a}gersysteme in der Krebstherapie eingesetzt.},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Kasparova2002,
  author    = {Kasparova, Pavla},
  title     = {Doppelthydrophile Blockcopolymere als Mineralisationstemplate},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0000483},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2002},
  abstract  = {Die vorliegende Arbeit besch{\"a}ftigt sich mit der Synthese und den Eigenschaften von doppelthydrophilen Blockcopolymeren und ihrer Anwendung in einem biomimetischen Mineralisationsprozeß von Calciumcarbonat und Bariumsulfat. Doppelthydrophile Blockcopolymere bestehen aus einem hydrophilen Block, der nicht mit Mineralien wechselwirkt und einem zweiten Polyelektrolyt-Block, der stark mit Mineraloberfl{\"a}chen wechselwirkt. Diese Blockcopolymere wurden durch ring{\"o}ffnende Polymerisation von N-carboxyanhydriden (NCA′s) und a-methoxy-ω-amino[poly(ethylene glycol)] PEG-NH2 als Initiator hergestellt. Die hergestellten Blockcopolymere wurden als effektive Wachstumsmodifikatoren f{\"u}r die Kristallisation von Calciumcarbonat und Bariumsulfat Mineralien eingesetzt. Die so erhaltenen Mineralpartikel (Kugeln, Hantel, eif{\"o}rmige Partikel) wurden durch Lichtmikroskopie in L{\"o}sung, SEM und TEM charakterisiert. R{\"o}ntgenweitwinkelstreuung (WAXS) wurde verwendet, um die Modifikation von Calciumcarbonat zu ermitteln und die Gr{\"o}ße der Calciumcarbonat- und Bariumsulfat-Nanopartikel zu ermitteln.},
  subject      = {Blockcopolymere ; Polyaminos{\"a}uren ; Hydrophile Verbindungen ; Chemische Synthese ; Ring{\"o}ffnungspolymerisation | Calciumcarbonat ; Biomineralisation},
  language  = {de}
}