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In this context, by combining atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with thiol–epoxy‘click’ chemistry, Khan and co-workers described a general and effient synthetic scheme, free from the usual protection/deprotection requirement of organic synthesis, for installation of two different types of functional groups at a polymer chainend. This strategy also allowed for total control over the number of the chain-end functionalities. In essence, the present strategy established a novel, modular and efficient route to chain-end multifunctional polymers with chemically complex yet molecularly precise structures and is expected to impact the current design of functional soft materials targeted for sophisticated applications.

Protecting-group-free synthesis of chain-end multifunctional polymers by combining ATRP with thiol–epoxy ‘click’ chemistry by Ikhlas Gadwal and Anzar Khan, Polym. Chem., 2013, 4, 2440-2444.

Julien Nicolas is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He currently works at Univ. Paris-Sud (FR) as a CNRS researcher.

In this communication, Yuan and co-workers prepared mesoporous polyelectrolyte networks through the ionic complexation between imidazolium-based cationic PILs and organic oligoacids in ammonia-containing diethyl ether. The as-synthesized porous networks exhibited good structural stability and large specific surface area up to 290 m² g^-1. This unique template-free strategy is very simple in operation and was shown to be generally valid for a variety of multivalent carboxylic acids, including many natural acid molecules. Interestingly, the performance of porous networks in dye removal from ethanol was demonstrated to be superior to activated carbon and mesoporous silica.

Organic acids can crosslink poly(ionic liquid)s into mesoporous polyelectrolyte complexes by Qiang Zhao, Sebastian Soll, Markus Antonietti and Jiayin Yuan, Polym. Chem., 2013, 4, 2432-2435.

Julien Nicolas is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He currently works at Univ. Paris-Sud (FR) as a CNRS researcher.

Nanofibrous scaffolds possessing mechanical properties, porous microstructure, and dimensional similarity to collagen fibers have been used to mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and are highly relevant for tissue engineering in a number of different applications. Polymeric nanofibers have been fabricated into a variety of constructs and scaffolds using melt- or electrospinning processes. For regenerative medicine applications, the polymeric precursors used to fabricate the nanofiber-based scaffolds should be both biocompatible and biodegradable. Many biodegradable and biocompatible polymers have been widely investigated as fiber and nanofiber precursor materials. Although these degradable polymers meet several of the basic requirements for tissue engineering applications, bioactive molecules to guide cellular behavior and preserve cell phenotype are required for optimal performance.

In this context,  Becker and co-workers described a polymerization method utilizing 4-dibenzocyclooctynol (DIBO) as an initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of 3-caprolactone which yielded an end-functionalized PCL polymer. The DIBO group survived the relatively mild polymerization conditions and offered efficient, orthogonal and biocompatible functionalization opportunities for both the polymer and polymer-derivatized biomaterials. The combination of PCL and DIBO enabled large-scale production of a new type of easily functionalizable nanofiber-based scaffold with versatile regenerative medicine applications.

4-Dibenzocyclooctynol (DIBO) as an initiator for poly(ε-caprolactone): copper-free clickable polymer and nanofiber-based scaffolds by Laurent Chabanne, Stefan Pfirrmann, David J. Lunn and Ian Manners, Polym. Chem., 2013, 4, 2215-2218.

Julien Nicolas is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He currently works at Univ. Paris-Sud (FR) as a CNRS researcher.

Julien Nicolas is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He currently works at Univ. Paris-Sud (FR) as a CNRS researcher.

Julien Nicolas is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He currently works at Univ. Paris-Sud (FR) as a CNRS researcher.

Julien Nicolas is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He currently works at Univ. Paris-Sud (FR) as a CNRS researcher.

Julien Nicolas is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He currently works at Univ. Paris-Sud (FR) as a CNRS researcher.

Julien Nicolas is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He currently works at Univ. Paris-Sud (FR) as a CNRS researcher.

Julien Nicolas is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He currently works at Univ. Paris-Sud (FR) as a CNRS researcher.

Julien Nicolas is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He currently works at Univ. Paris-Sud (FR) as a CNRS researcher.