Direct syntheses of a series of cucurbit[n]uril-anchored polyacrylamides

摘要

Using the one-pot, direct strategy reported by Su and co-workers, we have synthesised a series of cucurbit[n]urils (Q[n], n=5-8) and alkyl-substituted cucurbit[6]urils (SQ[6]s) anchored on polymers. Acrylamide, as a typical monomer, was used to synthesise a series of Q[n]s (n=5-8) and SQ[6]-anchored polyacrylamides (PAMs) using a persulfate salt as initiator and oxidant. The Q[n]s (n=5-8) and SQ[6]-anchored PAM samples have been characterised by H-1 NMR, H-1 NMR titrations of probe guests, Fourier-transform infrared and thermogravimetric analyser. The results confirmed that PAM chains had been successfully grafted on the back of the Q[n]s (n=5-8) and SQ[6]s through an in situ radical polymerisation approach. It was further confirmed that the hydrophobic cavities of the Q[n]s on the polymers were still freely accessible. This synthetic approach may be extended to a variety of Q[n]s that are difficult to functionalise.