Polyelectrolytes with Tunable Charge Based on Polydehydroalanine: Synthesis and Solution Properties

Abstract

Poly( tert ‐butoxycarbonylaminomethylacrylate) (P t BAMA), a derivative of polydehydroalanine (PDha), is synthesized using free radical polymerization (FRP) and nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP). Due to the presence of orthogonal protective groups, the resulting polymers can be selectively deprotected to yield either a polyanion (poly( tert ‐butoxycarbonylaminoacrylic acid), P t BAA) or a polycation (poly(aminomethylacrylate), PAMA). Deprotection of both the amino‐ and the carboxyl‐functionality in a sequential manner leads to the potential polyzwitterion polydehydroalanine (PDha). The pH‐dependent solution behavior of P t BAA, PAMA, and PDha are examined in aqueous solution by potentiometric and turbidimetric titrations as well as ζ‐potential measurements. image