Across a number of industries, there is an increasing necessity to create uniquely tailored materials. Solid phase synthesis (SPS) is a technique in which molecules are synthesized in a step-by-step from a solid substrate, rather than in solution. Currently, SPS is widely used for the synthesis of polymers with modular units and non-symmetric sequences, such as proteins and nucleic acids. However, a major limitation of SPS is that it often requires harsh reagents to cleave the polymer from the surface. This process can degrade the polymer and comprise its functionality. Thus, there is a need for the development of a milder approach to release the resultant polymer from the surface. This technology describes a modified SPS method that utilizes a photocleavable linker between the polymer product and the solid surface.
Using azide-alkylne based ‘click-chemistry’ as the coupling mechanism for SPS, this technology is a method to assemble specific, asymmetric sequences of macromonomers to form polymacromers. This alternative coupling mechanism lends itself to the easy protection and deprotection of functional groups. Furthermore, by utilizing a photochemical cleavage method, the polymacromer can be released without harsh chemicals, thus maintaining its functional integrity.
This method has been demonstrated through the synthesis of a number of different bifunctional and heterobifunctional polymacromers.
Patent Pending (US20130171461)
Tech Ventures Reference: IR M11-078