Biotin α‐End‐Functionalized Gradient Glycopolymers Synthesized by RAFT Copolymerization

Biotinylated gradient glycopolymers have been synthesized via RAFT copolymerization of an acrylamide derivative of galactose with N ‐acryloylmorpholine in the presence of a biotin CTA. The polymerization was controlled with a linear increase in molecular weights up to 80% conversion. Copolymer chains have a gradient microstructure with an increasing proportion of galactose units towards the ω chain end. The presence of the biotin ligand at the α end of the chains was confirmed by 1 H NMR and MALDI‐ToF MS. This strategy based on the use of a biotin‐CTA instead of a post‐polymerization labelling of the chains resulted in a high percentage of α ‐functionalized chains (92–95%). Such α ‐end‐functionalized glycopolymer chains may interact with streptavidin‐modified surfaces. magnified image