Microgels as matrices for molecular receptor and reactive sites: synthesis and reactivity of cavities possessing amino-functions

Abstract

Non-fluxional polymeric particles, microgels, have been prepared containing amino-functions situated in cavities in the polymer matrix. The microgels possess binding properties and exhibit greatly enhanced rates of reaction versus isoquinoline-N-sulphonate and 4-nitrophenyl ester substrates compared with simple amines. The polymer reagents possess selectivity against the molecular size of the substrate due to finite cavity size and this selectivity may be modified by variation of pH which causes a change in size of the cavities.