Poly(acryloyl hydrazide), a versatile scaffold for the preparation of functional polymers: synthesis and post-polymerisation modification

Here we present the synthesis and post-polymerisation modification of poly(acryloyl hydrazide), a versatile scaffold for the preparation of functional polymers: poly(acryloyl hydrazide) was prepared from commercially available starting materials in a three step synthesis on a large scale, in good yields and high purity. Our synthetic approach included the synthesis of a Boc-protected acryloyl hydrazide, the preparation of polymers via RAFT polymerisation and the deprotection of the corresponding Boc-protected poly(acryloyl hydrazide). Post-polymerisation modification of poly(acryloyl hydrazide) was then demonstrated using a range of conditions for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic aldehydes. These experiments demonstrate the potential of poly(acryloyl hydrazide) as a scaffold in the synthesis of functional polymers, in particular those applications where in situ screening of the activity of the functionalised polymers may be required (e.g. biological applications).