A general synthetic strategy to prepare poly(ethylene glycol)-based multifunctional copolymers

Abstract

We report polyethylene glycol-based reactive diblock copolymer as well as random copolymer scaffolds that can be transformed into desired bifunctional copolymers in two synthetic steps. Synthesis of the general scaffolds is achieved via a controlled atom transfer radical polymerization process while the functional groups are introduced via thiol–epoxy ‘click’ and esterification reactions.