Synthesis of β-cyclodextrin-Based Star Block Copolymers with Thermo-Responsive Behavior

Abstract

Star polymers are one example of three-dimensional macromolecules containing several arms with similar molecular weight connected to a central core. Due to their compact structure and their enhanced segment density in comparison to linear polymers of the same molecular weight, they have attracted significant attention during recent years. The preparation of block-arm star copolymers with a permanently hydrophilic block and an “environmentally” sensitive block, which can change its nature from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, leads to nanometer-sized responsive materials with unique properties. These polymers are able to undergo a conformational change or phase transition as a reply to an external stimulus resulting in the formation of core–shell nanoparticles, which further tend to aggregate. Star-shaped copolymers with different cores were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The core-first method chosen as synthetic strategy allows good control over the polymer architecture. First of all the multifunctional initiators were prepared by esterification reaction of the hydroxyl groups with 2-chloropropionyl chloride. Using β-cyclodextrin as core molecules, which possess a well-defined number of functional groups up to 21, allows defining the number of arms per star polymer. In order to prepare stimuli-responsive multi-arm copolymers, containing a stimuli-responsive (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)) and a non-responsive block (poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAAm)), consecutive ATRP was carried out. The polymers were characterized intensively using NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography (SEC), whereas the temperature-depending aggregation behavior in aqueous solution was determined via turbidimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

1. Introduction

Star polymers are an example of three-dimensional macromolecules consisting of several linear polymer chains connected at a central core. Throughout the last few decades, such polymers have provoked more and more interest due to their compact structure and their enhanced segment density in comparison to their linear counterparts [1].

The synthesis of star polymers was first realized using ionic polymerization techniques [2]. However, this method has its limitations in terms of the small range of applicable monomers. With the development of controlled radical polymerization (CRP) in the mid-1990s, a new and powerful tool was found to create polymers with complex architectures. Beside nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) [3,4] and reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) [5,6], atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) can be highlighted in particular [7,8]. The synthetic procedures providing well-defined star macromolecules can be divided into three different categories: the “arm-first” approach [9,10] involves the cross-linking of linear arm precursors with a cross-linking agent; the “coupling-onto” approach [11,12] comprises the grafting of linear arm precursors onto a well-defined multifunctional core; and the “core-first” approach [13,14] requires the use of a multifunctional initiator (core) to initiate the growth of the polymer chains. A variety of low-molecular weight compounds used as core molecules are described in literature [15,16,17]. The chemical structure of these initiators can either be aliphatic or cyclic and generally involves more than three groups for initiation. The cyclic oligosaccharide β-cyclodextrin consisting of seven α-(1-4) linked d-glucopyranose units and a defined number of primary (7) and secondary (14) hydroxyl groups represents a candidate with a cyclical structure. Their selective modification leads to efficient multifunctional initiators for the synthesis of star polymers [18,19,20,21].

In 2001 Haddleton and coworkers [18] first reported the complete functionalization of β-cyclodextrin with 2-bromoisobutyric anhydride and the synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(styrene) (PS) star polymers. Adeli et al. [20] used a tosylated cyclodextrin ((Tosyl)₇-β-CD), which contained two types of functional groups to synthesize amphiphilic star copolymers with poly(lactide) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) arms connected to a β-cyclodextrin core via ring opening polymerization. Zhu and coworkers [22] described the synthesis of amphiphilic A₁₄B₇ multi-miktoarm star copolymers composed of 14 poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) arms and 7 poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) arms with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as core moiety employing controlled ring-opening polymerization (CROP) and ATRP. Most of the so far mentioned β-cyclodextrin based star polymers are insoluble in water. In order to create water-soluble star polymers with β-cyclodextrin cores, polymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) are highly interesting. PNIPAAm-based polymers are water soluble up to 32 °C. Higher temperatures induce a phase transition (LCST, lower critical solution temperature), which results in an aggregation of the polymer chains [23]. Liu et al. [24] used a combination of ATRP and click coupling chemistry to generate one of the first β-cyclodextrin based PNIPAAm star polymers with up to 21 arms. These star polymers were not only water-soluble, but also stimuli-sensitive, since these polymers respond to external incitation. Rubira and coworkers [25] reported the synthesis of PNIPAAm star polymers using a β-cyclodextrin core macroinitiator by means of ATRP in water. However, the polydispersity of these polymers ranged from 1.60 to 4.04 due to collapse of the PNIPAAm chains at temperatures above the LCST.

We are interested in the application of (star-shaped) temperature-responsive polymer systems, which can be tailored to form nanometer-sized micelles. Applying different monomers, polymerization techniques (ATRP, RAFT) and post-modification of the resulting polymers by polymer analogue reactions or click chemistry, these micelles can be tuned, e.g., for the application in catalytic reactions. When temperature-responsive polymers (exhibiting a LCST or UCST (upper critical solution temperature) behavior) are used for catalyst preparation, the micellar catalyst system can be directly separated from the surrounding medium after heating or cooling to the critical temperature. In this work, we present the synthesis of β-cyclodextrin based marcoinitiators bearing 7, 14 and even 21 initiation sites, which is one potential system for the design of micellar structures. The selective functionalization was realized by specific protection–deprotection methods. These macroinitiators were used for the synthesis of PNIPAAm homo star polymers via copper(I)-mediated ATRP employing the “core-first” approach. In a second step, block copolymers consisting of a temperature-responsive inner block (PNIPAAm) and a non-responsive outer block (PDMAAm) were generated using consecutive ATRP. We also analyzed the degree of branching for the PNIPAAm homo polymers by triple SEC and the temperature-dependent aggregation of the homo and block copolymer by dynamic light scattering. These results will be published separately.

2. Experimental Section

2.1. Materials

Acetonitrile (Fisher Scientific, Schwerte, Germany, >99%) was dried over 3 Å molecular sieves, β-cyclodextrin hydrate (Fluka, Buchs, Switzerland,) was dried in vacuo at 105 °C overnight and was stored under argon. Copper(I)chloride (CuCl, Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA, ≥99.999%) was purified by stirring in glacial acetic acid overnight, rinsing with cold ethanol and diethyl ether and dried in vacuo. Copper(II)chloride (CuCl₂) was obtained from copper(II)chloride dihydrate (Aldrich, ≥99.999%) by heating at 100 °C overnight in vacuo. N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm, TCI Europe, Eschborn, Germany, >99%) was distilled in vacuo before use and was stored at −20 °C under argon. 4-(Dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP, Acros Organics, Geel, Belgium, 99%) was purified by recrystallization from toluene. N-Isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm, TCI Europe, ≥98%) was purified by recrystallization from n-hexane and stored at −10 °C. Pyridine (Fluka, ≥99.8%) and triethylamine (TEA, Grüssing, Filsum, Germany, ≥99%) were distilled over potassium hydroxide and stored under argon. Tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me₆TREN) was prepared according to the literature [26]. Tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (Aldrich, 97%), 2-chloropropionyl chloride (CPC, Aldrich, 97%), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc, Acros Organics, 99,5%, extra dry), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, Acros, ≥99.7%, extra dry, over molecular sieves), methyl iodide (MERCK-Schuhardt, Darmstadt, Germany, ≥99%), sodium hydride (Aldrich, 95%) and tetrabutylammonium fluoride solution (TBAF, Acros Organics, 1 M in THF) were used as received.

2.2. Synthesis of Multifunctional ATRP Initiators

Heptakis-(6-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy)-β-cyclodextrin (1) was prepared from β-cyclodextrin as described in literature [27]. (1) was permethylated by an excess of MeI to yield hepatkis-(6-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy-2,3-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (2) [28]. The desilylation of (2) was accomplished with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride solution (1 M in THF) in order to obtain heptakis-(2,3-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (3) [29].

2.3. Synthesis of Heptakis-(6-O-chloropropionyl-2,3-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (4) (7-Cl-β-CD)

Vacuum dried heptakis-(2,3-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (3) (0.4 g (0.3 mmol)) and DMAP (10 mg (0.08 mmol)) were dissolved in anhydrous DMAc (8 mL) and cooled to 0 °C. 2-Chloropropionyl chloride (0.41 mL (4.2 mmol)) was added to the solution under argon using a syringe within 1 h. The reaction was carried out at 0 °C for 1 h and then at 50 °C for 3 days. Afterwards water (20 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and the aqueous solution was extracted with chloroform (3 × 100 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (chloroform/methanol: 97:3, R_f = 0.25). The pure product was obtained as a colorless solid (yield: 28%): m_p = 104–105 °C; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) = 5.08–5.04 (m, 1H, H-1), 4.63–4.25 (m, 3H, H-6, –CH(CH₃)Cl), 3.92 (m, 1H, H-5), 3.64–3.45 (m, 8H, –OCH₃, H-3, H-4), 3.16 (m, 1H, H-2), 1.70–1.67 (m, 3H, –CH(CH₃)Cl). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) = 169.6–169.3 (C=O), 99.5–99.1 (C-1), 82.0–81.7 (C-4), 81.5–81.4 (C-2), 81.1–80.3 (C-3), 69.9–69.7 (C-5), 64.8–64.6 (C-6), 61.6–61.4 (–OCH₃), 58.9–58.6 (–OCH₃), 52.7–52.4 (–CH(CH₃)Cl), 21.5–21.3 (–CH(CH₃)Cl). IR (KBr): $\tilde{\nu }$ (cm⁻¹) = 3460, 2935, 2837 ($\mathrm{\nu }$_C–H), 1750 ($\mathrm{\nu }$_C=O), 1451, 1381 ($\mathrm{\nu }$_C–H), 753, 682 ($\mathrm{\nu }$_C–Cl).

2.4. Synthesis of Heptakis-(6-(tert-butyldimethysilyl)oxy-2,3-di-O-chloropropionyl)-β-cyclodextrin (5) (14-Cl-β-CD)

Heptakis-(6-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy)-β-cyclodextrin (1) (0.45 g (0.23 mmol)), imidazole (0.45 g (6.6 mmol)) and DMAP (10 mg (0.08 mmol)) were dissolved in anhydrous DMAc (8 mL) and cooled to 0 °C. 2-Chloropropionyl chloride (0.64 mL (6.6 mmol)) was added to the solution under argon using a syringe within 1 h. The reaction was carried out at 0 °C for 1 h and then at 50 °C for 3 days. Afterwards the mixture was added drop wise into water. The precipitate was collected, dissolved in THF, precipitated in water again and finally dried in vacuo at 80 °C. The product was obtained as a colorless solid (yield: 48%): m_p = 187–191 °C. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) = 5.58–3.74 (m, sugar residues and –CH(CH₃)Cl), 1.71 (m, –CH(CH₃)Cl), 0.88 (s, –SiC(CH₃)₃), 0.04 (s, –Si(CH₃)₂). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) = 169.3 (C=O), 98.3, 74.2, 72.1, 70.6, 64.0, 61.6 (sugar carbons), 51.9 (–CH(CH₃)Cl), 25.8 (–SiC(CH₃)₃), 21.2 (–CH(CH₃)Cl), 18.3 (–SiC(CH₃)₃), −5.1 (–Si(CH₃)₂). IR (KBr): $\tilde{\nu }$ (cm⁻¹) = 3449, 2956, 2932, 2859 ($\mathrm{\nu }$_C–H), 1752 ($\mathrm{\nu }$_C=O), 1450, 1382 ($\mathrm{\nu }$_;C–H), 779, 688 ($\nu$_C–Cl).

2.5. Synthesis of Heptakis-(2,3,6-tri-O-chloropropionyl)-β-cyclodextrin (6) (21-Cl-β-CD)

Vacuum dried β-cyclodextrin (1.0 g (0.44 mmol)) and DMAP (10 mg (0.08 mmol)) were dissolved in anhydrous DMAc (5 mL) and cooled to 0 °C. 2-Chloropropionyl chloride (1.79 mL, 0.0185 mol) was added to the solution under argon using a syringe within 1 h. The reaction was carried out at 0 °C for 1 h and then at 50 °C for 2 days. Afterwards the mixture was poured drop wise into water, the precipitate was collected, washed with water and dried in vacuo at 80 °C. The product was obtained as a pale brown solid (yield: 35%): m_p = 75–76 °C. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) = 5.54–3.97 (m, sugar residues and –CH(CH₃)Cl), 1.72 (m, –CH(CH₃)Cl). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ (ppm) = 170.0–168.8 (C=O), 97.4–95.2, 72.8–68.6 (sugar carbons), 64.7–62.9 (–CHCH₂O), 53.1–50.7 (–C–Cl), 22.1–20.0 (–CH₃). IR (KBr): $\tilde{\nu }$ (cm⁻¹) = 3449, 2991 ($\nu$_C–H), 1753 ($\nu$_C=O), 1449, 1382 ($\nu$_C–H), 697 ($\nu$_C–Cl).

2.6. Synthesis of Star-like PNIPAAm Homopolymers by ATRP

The polymerizations were performed in DMSO [30] using initiators (4)–(6) and in AN using initiators (5) and (6). All polymerization reactions were carried out under an argon atmosphere in a Schlenk tube with a stirring bar. The general procedure for the polymerization in DMSO is described in the following.

A vacuum dried Schlenk tube was charged with NIPAAm (0.403 g (3.56 mmol)), CuCl (5.64 mg, (0.057 mmol)), CuCl₂ (1.91 mg (0.01 mmol)) and Me₆TREN (19 μL (0.08 mmol)). After the addition of DMSO (1 mL), the mixture was degassed using three freeze-pump-thaw cycles, and the solution was sealed under argon. The tube was tempered at 20 °C and the polymerization was started by addition of the initiator (10.0 mg (0.51 μmol)) that was dissolved in DMSO (0.44 mL) via a syringe. The polymerization proceeded for 18 h and was stopped by cooling with liquid nitrogen and exposure to air. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in THF. To remove the catalyst the residue was filtrated through a plug of Al₂O₃. The resulting solution was concentrated by rotary evaporator and precipitated by addition to an excess of cold diethyl ether. After a second precipitation cycle the polymer was dialyzed against water (Spectra/Por 6, MWCO 1000). The purified colorless PNIPAAm star polymer was freeze-dried. Monomer conversion conv_NMR was estimated with ¹H NMR (see Table 1 for characterization data).

Table 1. Experimental results for the synthesis of star-like PNIPAAm homo polymers.

Sample	Initiator	M/I/Cu(I)/Cu(II)/L a	Solvent	T (°C)	Time (h)	convNMR (%)	Mn,SEC (g mol−1)	PDSEC
7a	4	200/1/1/0/1	DMSO	20	1.5	68	152,000	1.24
7b	4	100/1/1.6/0.4/2	DMSO	20	18	68	94,000	1.20
8a	5	100/1/1/0/1	AN	30	18	82	146,000	1.23
8b	5	100/1/1/0/1	DMSO	20	18	58	96,000	1.22
9a	6	50/1/1/0/1	AN	30	19	95	61,400	1.10
9b	6	100/1/1.6/0.4/2	DMSO	20	6.5	67	120,000	1.30
9c	6	150/1/1/0/1	AN	30	20	99	231,000	1.20

^a M, I, Cu(I), Cu(II) and L represent the relative initial concentration of monomer, total initiation sites, Cu(I)Cl, Cu(II)Cl₂, and ligand.

Table 1. Experimental results for the synthesis of star-like PNIPAAm homo polymers.

Sample	Initiator	M/I/Cu(I)/Cu(II)/L a	Solvent	T (°C)	Time (h)	convNMR (%)	Mn,SEC (g mol−1)	PDSEC
7a	4	200/1/1/0/1	DMSO	20	1.5	68	152,000	1.24
7b	4	100/1/1.6/0.4/2	DMSO	20	18	68	94,000	1.20
8a	5	100/1/1/0/1	AN	30	18	82	146,000	1.23
8b	5	100/1/1/0/1	DMSO	20	18	58	96,000	1.22
9a	6	50/1/1/0/1	AN	30	19	95	61,400	1.10
9b	6	100/1/1.6/0.4/2	DMSO	20	6.5	67	120,000	1.30
9c	6	150/1/1/0/1	AN	30	20	99	231,000	1.20

^a M, I, Cu(I), Cu(II) and L represent the relative initial concentration of monomer, total initiation sites, Cu(I)Cl, Cu(II)Cl₂, and ligand.

2.7. Synthesis of the Star Block Copolymers

The following synthesis protocol for a 7-arm star PNIPAAm-b-P(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm) block copolymer is exemplary for all other synthesis. The composition and the results of the polymerization are summarized in Table 2.

A vacuum dried Schlenk tube was charged with NIPAAm (0.49 g (4 mmol)), CuCl (7 mg (0.07 mmol)), CuCl₂ (2.3 mg (17 μmol)) and Me₆TREN (24 μL (0.09 mmol)). After the addition of DMSO (2 mL), the mixture was immediately deoxygenated by three freeze-pump-thaw cycles, and the solution was sealed under argon. The tube was tempered at 20 °C and the polymerization was started by addition of the initiator (10 mg) dissolved in DMSO (1 mL) via a syringe. The polymerization proceeded for a certain time after which a sample was taken. Afterwards the second monomer DMAAm (2.04 mL (20 mmol)), CuCl (7 mg (7 mmol)) and Me₆TREN (24 μL (0.09 mmol)) were dissolved in DMSO (1 mL), degassed using three freeze-pump-thaw cycles and added to the star-like PNIPAAm homo polymer reaction mixture in the Schlenk tube. The reaction proceeded for a certain time and was stopped by cooling with liquid nitrogen and exposure to air. The solvent was removed by distillation and the residue was dissolved in THF. To remove the catalyst the residue was filtrated through a plug of Al₂O₃. The resulting solution was concentrated by rotary evaporator and precipitated by addition to an excess of cold diethyl ether. After a second precipitation cycle the polymer was dialyzed against water (Spectra/Por 6, MWCO 1000). The purified colorless PNIPAAm star polymer was freeze-dried. All compositions applied for the synthesis of the PNIPAAm-b-P(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm) block copolymers are summarized in Table 2.

2.8. Characterization

¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded at 25 °C on a Bruker “Avance 500” spectrometer using CDCl₃ or DMSO-d₆ as solvents. Electrospray Ionization Time-of Flight (ESI-ToF) mass spectra were recorded with a “SYNAPT G2-HDMS” mass spectrometer (Waters, Manchester, UK). The measurements were made in positive mode with a capillary voltage of 3 kV and a source temperature of 120 °C. SEC measurements of the PNIPAAm homo star polymer and star block copolymers were carried out using DMAc containing 0.1 wt% LiBr as eluent at a column temperature of 50 ° C and a flow rate of 1 mL·min⁻¹. The SEC set-up consists of a Merck Hitachi 655A-11 pump (Darmstadt, Germany), three columns (particle size 10 μm; PSS-GRAM guard, PSS-GRAM 10² Å, PSS-GRAM 10³ Å) from Polymer Standard Service (PSS) and a Knauer “Smartline RI Detector 2300” refractive index detector. As calibration poly(methyl methacrylate) standards were used. Turbidity measurements of aqueous PNIPAAm homo star polymer solutions (0.1 wt%) to determine the critical temperature T_c, where carried out using a Perkin Elmer “Lambda 45” UV-Vis spectrophotometer (Waltham, MA, USA) at 500 nm. T_c was defined as the temperature corresponding to 50% decrease of optical transmittance. Micro-differential scanning calorimetry (Micro-DSC) measurements were carried out on a microDSC III from Setaram (Caluire, France). The sample solution with a concentration of 5.0 wt% was heated with a rate of 0.5 °C/min in the range from 5 to 60 °C. The onset value of the peak and the peak maximum, respectively, were evaluated as T_c. IR spectra and recorded on a “Vertex 70” FTIR spectrometer (Bruker Optik, Ettlingen, Germany). Melting points were determined with a “Melting Point B-545” apparatus (Büchi, Essen, Germany).

Table 2. Experimental results for the synthesis of star-like PNIPAAm-b-P(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm) block copolymers.

Sample	Initiator	A/B/I/Cu(I)/Cu(II)/L a	Solvent	Time (h)	convNMR (A %)	Time (h)	convNMR (A %/B %)
10a	4	150/450/1/1/0/1	DMSO	2	62	20	70/24
10b	4	150/900/1/1/0/1	DMSO	2	66	15.5	61/23
11a	5	100/450/1/1/0/1	DMSO	2	53	19	57/24
11b	5	100/500/1/1/0/1	DMSO	2	60	17	65/21
11c	5	100/1000/1/1.6/0.4/1	DMSO	2.5	47	16	47/19
12a	6	150/440/1/2/0/2	AN	7	64	17	64/12
12b	6	100/500/1/1.6/0.4/2	DMSO	3	59	19	50/19
12c	6	100/1000/1.6/0.4/2	DMSO	3.5	49	13	48/19

^a A, B, I, Cu(I), Cu(II) and L represent the relative initial concentrations of NIPAAm (A), DMAAm (B), total initiation sites, Cu(I)Cl, Cu(II)Cl₂, and ligand.

Table 2. Experimental results for the synthesis of star-like PNIPAAm-b-P(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm) block copolymers.

Sample	Initiator	A/B/I/Cu(I)/Cu(II)/L a	Solvent	Time (h)	convNMR (A %)	Time (h)	convNMR (A %/B %)
10a	4	150/450/1/1/0/1	DMSO	2	62	20	70/24
10b	4	150/900/1/1/0/1	DMSO	2	66	15.5	61/23
11a	5	100/450/1/1/0/1	DMSO	2	53	19	57/24
11b	5	100/500/1/1/0/1	DMSO	2	60	17	65/21
11c	5	100/1000/1/1.6/0.4/1	DMSO	2.5	47	16	47/19
12a	6	150/440/1/2/0/2	AN	7	64	17	64/12
12b	6	100/500/1/1.6/0.4/2	DMSO	3	59	19	50/19
12c	6	100/1000/1.6/0.4/2	DMSO	3.5	49	13	48/19

^a A, B, I, Cu(I), Cu(II) and L represent the relative initial concentrations of NIPAAm (A), DMAAm (B), total initiation sites, Cu(I)Cl, Cu(II)Cl₂, and ligand.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Synthesis of Multifunctional ATRP Initiators

In order to prepare star polymers via ATRP it is necessary to introduce an alkyl halide end group into the core molecule. Different methods for the preparation of heptakis[2,3,6-tri-O-(2-bromo-2-methylpropionyl)]-β-cyclodextrin (21-Br-β-CD) are described in literature. For example, Haddleton et al. [18] applied 2-bromoisobutyric anhydride instead of the commercially available acid halides as esterification agent and anhydrous pyridine as solvent. However, the final yield of 21-Br-β-CD only reached 17%. Liu et al. [31] developed a simple route to synthesize the 21-Br-β-CD initiator through the reaction of β-CD with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Carpov et al. [32] investigated the chloroacetylation of β-cyclodextrin in various basic media (N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), NMP) and found that the highest degree of substitution (DS) with chloroacetyl groups could be achieved using DMAc. Hence, in the present work, the chloropropionyl-terminated initiator 21-Cl-β-CD (6) was prepared by direct esterification reaction of the hydroxyl groups at the periphery with 2-chloropropionyl chloride using DMAc as solvent.

7-Cl-β-CD (4) and 14-Cl-β-CD (5) were obtained in a multi-step synthesis strategy using tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (TBDMSCl) and methyl iodide as regioselective protection agents. Due to the different reactivity of the primary and secondary hydroxyl groups within β-CD it is possible to selectively convert only the seven primary hydroxyl groups into TBDMS ether groups. Afterwards the secondary hydroxyl groups of (1) were treated with 2-chloropropionyl chloride to get the multifunctional initiator (5). The esterification reaction is accompanied by HCl release, which might result in the deprotection of the acid-labile TBDMS protecting groups. According to Li et al. [33] who investigated the effect of pH and temperature on the formation of per-6-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy-2,3-di-O-chloroacetyl-β-CD imidazole was added to the reaction mixture. They have shown that imidazole is an appropriate proton scavenger to control the pH of the system and with its use all hydroxyl groups remained protected. In our case the seven hydroxyl groups remained protected if a pH value of 8 and a temperature of 50 °C was maintained. To generate the multifunctional initiator (4) first the secondary hydroxyl groups of heptakis-(6-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy)-β-cyclodextrin (1) had to be methylated using a large excess of MeI and oil-free NaH in dry THF at room temperature. Desilylation of (2) was accomplished with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride solution. Finally, the non-protected primary hydroxyl groups were esterified with 2-chloropropionyl chloride. The structure of the initiators could be proven by NMR (Scheme 1) and FTIR spectroscopy as well as ESI-ToF-MS. The detailed pathway for the synthesis of the multifunctional ATRP initiators is shown in Scheme 2.

Scheme 1. Assignment of NMR signals for CD initiator (4).

Scheme 1. Assignment of NMR signals for CD initiator (4).

Scheme 2. Synthesis of the β-Cyclodextrin based Initiators 7-Cl-β-CD (4), 14-Cl-β-CD (5) and 21-C-β-CD (6).

Scheme 2. Synthesis of the β-Cyclodextrin based Initiators 7-Cl-β-CD (4), 14-Cl-β-CD (5) and 21-C-β-CD (6).

3.2. Synthesis of 7-Arm, 14-Arm and 21-Arm Star-like PNIPAAm Homo Polymers

The modified β-cyclodextrins (4)–(6) were used in a further step as initiators for the copper(I)-mediated ATRP of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) (Scheme 3) via the “core-first” method. A few conditions for the controlled polymerization of NIPAAm are known [34]. In most of the cases, polar solvents like water or aqueous DMF or isopropanol have to be used. Due to the poor solubility of the initiators in aqueous solutions, new conditions had to be established. Based on model reactions of pentaerythritol-tetrakis-(2-bromoisobutyrate) and pentaerythritol-tetrakis-(2-chloropropionate), respectively, suitable conditions could be found. For a number of solvents (water, toluene, isopropanol, and acetonitrile (AN)) it turned out that the bromo-initiator did not yield any polymer. The chloro-initiator worked much better, e.g., in AN with CuCl/Me₆TREN as catalyst. Maynard et al. [30] performed kinetic studies with a biotin bearing initiator in deuterated DMSO. The addition of CuCl₂ shifted the equilibrium towards the dormant species and improved the control of the polymerization. The loss of control in aqueous ATRP systems is caused by different side reactions [35]. Mainly hydrolysis of the deactivator takes place causing a decrease of the deactivation rate and, hence, an increase of the speed of reaction as well as a loss of control. Br-β-CD ATRP initiators have been used in pure water at 60 °C yielding PNIPAAm stars with polydispersities of 1.60 to 4.04 [25]. This might be due to star–star coupling reactions, which are enhanced since the polymerization temperature was above T_c causing a collapse of the growing chains. Hence, the polymerization was performed in AN and DMSO, respectively, at moderate temperature with CuCl/Me₆TREN as catalytic system. Seven star-like PNIPAAm homo polymers with different arm numbers and arm lengths were synthesized as summarized in Table 1. All PNIPAAm stars could be obtained under controlled conditions and with narrow polydispersities. SEC traces of selected samples are shown in Figure 1.

Polymerization kinetics were determined for 7-Cl-β-CD, 14-Cl-β-CD, 21-Cl-β-CD with [M]/[I] ratios of 700, 1400 and 2100, corresponding to 100 moles of monomer per one mole of initiating sites. For all three initiators the molar ratio of [I]/[CuCl]/[CuCl₂]/[Me₆TREN] was [1]/[1.6]/[0.4]/[2]. All reactions were carried out in DMSO at 20 °C and samples were taken during the polymerization in order to determine the molecular weight and polydispersity using SEC and the monomer conversion with ¹H NMR.

Scheme 3. Synthesis of star-like PNIPAAm homo polymers using ATRP.

Scheme 3. Synthesis of star-like PNIPAAm homo polymers using ATRP.

Figure 1. SEC traces of selected PNIPAAm star homo polymers.

Figure 1. SEC traces of selected PNIPAAm star homo polymers.

The plots of ln([M]₀/[M]_t) versus time increased linearly, indicating that the concentration of the radicals remains constant during polymerization (Figure 2). The polymerization followed first order kinetics, and after 6 h, conversions above 60% could be obtained. However, at the beginning of the reaction, relatively high conversions were obtained. Nevertheless, these first polymers show narrow polydispersities as well. It has to be pointed out that further evaluation of the kinetic data is difficult. SEC data are not reliable since linear standards were compared with branched structures. Additionally, due to the high molecular weight signals of the end groups in ¹H NMR spectra could not be observed.

Figure 2. Kinetic plots for the polymerization of NIPAAm in DMSO at 20 °C using 7-Cl-β-CD ($●$), 14-Cl-β-CD ($■$), 21-Cl-β-CD ($▲$) as initiators. The polymerizations were performed using 100 moles of monomer per one mole of initiating sites (corresponding to [M]/[I] ratios of 700, 1400 and 2100, respectively). The molar ratio of [I]/[CuCl]/[CuCl2]/[Me6TREN] was kept at [1]/[1.6]/[0.4]/[2] and the reactions were carried out in DMSO at 20 °C.

Figure 2. Kinetic plots for the polymerization of NIPAAm in DMSO at 20 °C using 7-Cl-β-CD ($●$), 14-Cl-β-CD ($■$), 21-Cl-β-CD ($▲$) as initiators. The polymerizations were performed using 100 moles of monomer per one mole of initiating sites (corresponding to [M]/[I] ratios of 700, 1400 and 2100, respectively). The molar ratio of [I]/[CuCl]/[CuCl2]/[Me6TREN] was kept at [1]/[1.6]/[0.4]/[2] and the reactions were carried out in DMSO at 20 °C.

3.3. Synthesis of 7-Arm, 14-Arm and 21-Arm Star-like PNIPAAM-b-PDMAAm Diblock Copolymers

In order to prepare star block copolymers, one can use macroinitiators or the method of sequential monomer addition. It turned out that PNIPAAm macroinitiators were not active anymore [34]. A reason might be the loss of halogen end groups during workup. An important prerequisite for the latter case is that both monomers can be polymerized under almost the same conditions. It is also important to determine the correct time to add the second monomer to maintain active end groups. Hence, a time where the polymerization still proceeds is suitable.

Teodorescu et al. [36] investigated the ATRP of different (meth)acrylamides including DMAAm. They used methyl-2-bromopropionate, Cu(I)Br and Me₆cyclam in methanol. The polymerization was quick but not controlled at RT and conversions higher than 65% could not be obtained. The authors gave three reasons for the loss of control. First, a deactivation of the copper catalyst might occur due to competing interactions of the amide groups of the polymer. Further, the strong bond of the bromine atom with the terminal monomer unit might decrease the ATRP equilibrium constant. Third, due to a nucleophilic attack of the second last monomer unit the halogen atom might be substituted. Either the oxygen or the nitrogen atom can attack the dormant chain end forming a five-membered ring that cannot be activated by the transition metal complex. Polar solvents and higher temperatures enhance this reaction. Rademacher et al. [37] performed systematic studies of the DMAAm polymerization. They showed by mass spectrometric studies that the loss of control can be attributed to the loss of the halogen end groups. These findings are in accordance with our results for the NIPAAm polymerization. Later the controlled polymerization of DMAAm using methyl-2-chloropropionate, Cu(I)Cl and Me₆TREN in toluene was reported [38]. PDMAAm with a degree of polymerization up to 530 and a polydispersity in the range of 1.05–1.13 could be obtained [39]. For high conversions SEC traces showed a weak tailing in the range of lower molecular weights indicating that still some termination reactions are present. Based on the results of the NIPAAm polymerization AN and DMSO can be used for the sequential monomer addition only. Unfortunately, polymerizations in AN proceeded with low yield only. Hence, all block copolymer formations were performed in DMSO.

A series of star-like PNIPAAm-b-PDMAAm diblock copolymers with a PNIPAAm core and a PDMAAm shell was prepared using consecutive ATRP (Scheme 4). Thus, the second monomer and new copper(I)complex were added to the star-like PNIPAAm homo polymer reaction mixture after a specific reaction time (Table 2). In order to avoid the loss of the halide end group and to suppress side reactions such as bimolecular termination, which might be an intermolecular (star–star coupling) or an intramolecular reaction (between two radicals within the star polymer), the polymerization of the first block was limited to 50%–60% conversion. Since the polymerization of NIPAAm cannot be driven to high conversions, the formed second block consisted in most cases of a random copolymer of DMAAm and NIPAAm. The composition of the second block can be calculated by determining the conversion of NIPAAm before and after the reaction with DMAAm. Figure 3 shows the ¹H NMR spectra of a resulting reaction mixture. The blue cycled peaks at 5.54 ppm can be attributed to one vinylic proton of NIPAAm, whereas the broad peak in the range of 3.97–3.75 ppm can be assigned to the isopropyl proton of the monomer and polymer. The green cycled peaks at 5.65 ppm can be assigned to a vinylic proton of DMAAm, whereas the peak in the range of 3.15–2.66 ppm can be attributed to the methyl groups of the monomer and polymer. The conversion conv_mon can be calculated by Equation (1):

$$con{v}_{mon}=\frac{I_{M+P}-I_M}{I_{M+P}}$$

(1)

with I_M+P as the integral of the monomer and polymer signal and I_M as theintegral of the monomer only. The results are summarized in Table 2. As can be seen from Table 2, the reactivity of DMAAm is much higher than NIPAAm. Hence, the second block did not contain more than approximately 10% of NIPAAm. A typical SEC trace for the two polymers is shown in Figure 4 proving block copolymer formation. However, the tailing towards higher elution volume indicates that there were termination reactions present at the end of the first step or/and after the addition of the second monomer. Table 3 summarizes the results of the block copolymer formation.

Scheme 4. Formation of star block copolymers by sequential monomer addition.

Scheme 4. Formation of star block copolymers by sequential monomer addition.

Figure 3. ¹H NMR spectra of a resulting reaction mixture after block copolymer formation by sequential monomer addition. Blue framed signals represent NIPAAm and PNIPAAm, respectively, whereas, green framed signal represent DMAAm and PDMAAm, respectively.

Figure 3. ¹H NMR spectra of a resulting reaction mixture after block copolymer formation by sequential monomer addition. Blue framed signals represent NIPAAm and PNIPAAm, respectively, whereas, green framed signal represent DMAAm and PDMAAm, respectively.

Figure 4. SEC traces of star block copolymer formation of 11c (PNIPAAm homo polymer (blue) and PNIPAAm-PDMAAm block copolymer (red)).

Figure 4. SEC traces of star block copolymer formation of 11c (PNIPAAm homo polymer (blue) and PNIPAAm-PDMAAm block copolymer (red)).

Table 3. Results of the SEC-characterization of star-like PNIPAAm-b-P(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm) diblock copolymers.

Sample	Initiator	Mn,SEC (g/mol)	PDSEC	Mn,SEC (g/mol)	PDSEC	Polymer Composition a,b
10a	4	143,000	1.33	189,000	1.77	A93-b-(A12-co-B108)
10b	4	138,000	1.21	161,000	1.85	A99-co-B207
11a	5	81,000	1.19	153,000	1.62	A74-b-B99
11b	5	120,000	1.14	161,000	1.56	A60-b-(A5-co-B189)
11c	5	85,700	1.12	249,000	1.72	A47-b-B190
12a	6	192,000	1.31	254,000	1.35	A96-b-B50
12b	6	124,000	1.15	209,000	1.70	A60-b-B95
12c	6	121,000	1.16	272,000	1.99	A49-b-B190

^a A and B refer to NIPAAm and DMAAm, respectively; ^b The composition of NIPAAm and DMAAm was estimated by ¹H-NMR-Spectroscopy.

Table 3. Results of the SEC-characterization of star-like PNIPAAm-b-P(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm) diblock copolymers.

Sample	Initiator	Mn,SEC (g/mol)	PDSEC	Mn,SEC (g/mol)	PDSEC	Polymer Composition a,b
10a	4	143,000	1.33	189,000	1.77	A93-b-(A12-co-B108)
10b	4	138,000	1.21	161,000	1.85	A99-co-B207
11a	5	81,000	1.19	153,000	1.62	A74-b-B99
11b	5	120,000	1.14	161,000	1.56	A60-b-(A5-co-B189)
11c	5	85,700	1.12	249,000	1.72	A47-b-B190
12a	6	192,000	1.31	254,000	1.35	A96-b-B50
12b	6	124,000	1.15	209,000	1.70	A60-b-B95
12c	6	121,000	1.16	272,000	1.99	A49-b-B190

^a A and B refer to NIPAAm and DMAAm, respectively; ^b The composition of NIPAAm and DMAAm was estimated by ¹H-NMR-Spectroscopy.

3.4. Thermal Phase Transition Behavior of Star-like PNIPAAm Homo Polymers

Phase transition temperatures of PNIPAAm depends on end groups and molecular weight [24]. It is well known that the presence of hydrophobic end groups decreases the phase transition temperature of PNIPAAm polymers [40]. For example, Figure 5 shows the transmittance curves plotted against the temperature for star-like PNIPAAm homo polymer aqueous solutions 7b, 8a, 9b with different arm numbers but nearly the same arm lengths. All transitions were sharp. T_c was defined as 50% transmittance. The values for the critical phase transition temperatures T_c for star polymers are summarized in Table 4. The T_c values for the star polymers with 7, 14 and 21 arms were in the same range and correlate to the literature value of 32 °C for high molecular weight linear PNIPAAm [41,42].

Figure 5. Transmittance curves of the star-like PNIPAAm homo polymers 7b (from 7-Cl-β-CD ($▲$)), 8a (from 14 Cl-β-CD ($●$)) and 9b (from 21 Cl-β-CD ($■$)) in aqueous solution (0.1 wt%).

Figure 5. Transmittance curves of the star-like PNIPAAm homo polymers 7b (from 7-Cl-β-CD ($▲$)), 8a (from 14 Cl-β-CD ($●$)) and 9b (from 21 Cl-β-CD ($■$)) in aqueous solution (0.1 wt%).

The β-CD-(PNIPAAm)₂₁ star polymers 9a–c with varying molecular weights had a T_c of 32.5 °C, 31.2 °C and 31.8 °C. All T_c values were within the same range and independent from molecular weight. This discovery agreed with the observations from Whittaker and coworkers [43]. They reported that the LCST transitions of a four arm star PNIPAAm based on a pentaerythritol moiety were depressed by the presence of the hydrophobic star core. Nevertheless, this effect was molecular weight-dependent and diminished when the number of repeating units per arm exceeded 70. In that case, the T_c was close to the literature value reported for high molecular weight linear PNIPAAm.

Star block copolymers consisting of an inner temperature-responsive PNIPAAm block and an outer non-responsive PDMAAm block will form micelle-like aggregates with increasing temperatures above T_c. The formed particles consist of a core of collapsed PNIPAAm stabilized by a shell of still hydrophilic PDMAAm. This shell prevents the particles from precipitating. Hence, turbidity measurements are no longer suitable to determine T_c and DSC was used instead.

T_c values of different star block copolymers are summarized in Table 4. T_c values from turbidimetry were obtained at the maximum change of turbidity (50% transmittance). Thus, these values correlate well with the peak maximum values from DSC. The DSC peaks were rather flat. Hence, the determination of the onset value was quite difficult. A reason for this might be the increased sterical hindrance of the chains causing a broadening of the transition.

The length of the PDMAAm block did not have a remarkable influence on T_c. The same was observed for the PNIPAAm block. Nyström et al. reported on the correlation of polymer length with T_c for PNIPAAm [44]. With increase of the number of repeating units from 47 to 71, T_c decreased from 36.9 to 32.2 °C. As an explanation it was claimed that there is increased hydrophobic interaction with increased degree of polymerization causing aggregation at lower temperatures. β-CD based star polymers have degrees of polymerization for each arm of 49 to 99. This is already in a range where T_c is independent on molecular weight.

Table 4. Critical phase transition temperatures T_c of the star-like PNIPAAm homo polymers in aqueous solution.

Sample	Composition of Arms a	Tc (°C) UV-Vis b	Tc (°C) DSC c
7b	A68	32.0	–
8a	A88	33.5	–
9a	A48	32.5	–
9b	A67	31.2	–
9c	n.d.	31.8	–
10a	A93-b-(A12-co-B108)	–	21.9 (31.3)
10b	A99-b-B207	–	23.0 (31.8)
11b	A60-b-(A5-co-B189)	–	19.6 (30.7)
11c	A47-b-B190	–	24.6 (32.6)
12a	A96-b-B50	–	31.0 (33.2)
12b	A60-b-B95	–	21.9 (32.8)
12c	A49-b-B190	–	22.8 (31.8)

^a Determined by ¹H NMR; ^b The critical phase transition temperature T_c was determined by turbidity measurement (0.1 wt% aqueous solution) at a wavelength of 500 nm. T_c was defined as the temperature corresponding to 50% decrease of optical transmittance; ^c The critical phase transition temperature T_c was determined by DSC measurement (5.0 wt% aqueous solution) at a heating rate of 0.5 K/min. T_c can be defined either as the onset temperature or the temperature at peak maximum (values in brackets).

Table 4. Critical phase transition temperatures T_c of the star-like PNIPAAm homo polymers in aqueous solution.

Sample	Composition of Arms a	Tc (°C) UV-Vis b	Tc (°C) DSC c
7b	A68	32.0	–
8a	A88	33.5	–
9a	A48	32.5	–
9b	A67	31.2	–
9c	n.d.	31.8	–
10a	A93-b-(A12-co-B108)	–	21.9 (31.3)
10b	A99-b-B207	–	23.0 (31.8)
11b	A60-b-(A5-co-B189)	–	19.6 (30.7)
11c	A47-b-B190	–	24.6 (32.6)
12a	A96-b-B50	–	31.0 (33.2)
12b	A60-b-B95	–	21.9 (32.8)
12c	A49-b-B190	–	22.8 (31.8)

^a Determined by ¹H NMR; ^b The critical phase transition temperature T_c was determined by turbidity measurement (0.1 wt% aqueous solution) at a wavelength of 500 nm. T_c was defined as the temperature corresponding to 50% decrease of optical transmittance; ^c The critical phase transition temperature T_c was determined by DSC measurement (5.0 wt% aqueous solution) at a heating rate of 0.5 K/min. T_c can be defined either as the onset temperature or the temperature at peak maximum (values in brackets).

4. Conclusions

PNIPAAm-PDMAAm star block copolymers can be prepared by ATRP. Starting with β-CD with 7, 14 and 21 initiating sites, NIPAAm can be polymerized under controlled conditions. In order to prepare block copolymers, the sequential monomer addition method must be used. However, tailoring the blocks was rather difficult. Due to possible star-star coupling, which is more probable at higher conversions, conversions have to be kept below 50%. The best time to add DMAAm was determined by kinetic experiments. The obtained block copolymers showed transition temperatures, which were almost independent of the number of arms and the composition.