Glycosylation initiated cationic ring-opening polymerization of tetrahydrofuran to prepare neo-glycopolymers

摘要

An unprecedented and highly efficient glycosylation initiated cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) of tetrahydrofuran is disclosed employing glycosyl ortho-hexynylbenzoates as donors and gold(I) as a catalyst, that provides an easy access to novel glycopolymers which' could self-assemble into nanostructures.rnComplex carbohydrates are major organic components which in association with proteins and lipids constitute structural matrices and scaffolds critical for life processes. Especially, the extruding epitopes of carbohydrates play important roles in various recognition processes such as fertilization, development, immune responses, infection, and metastasis.