Authors:	Verkoyen, Patrick Frey, Holger
Title:	Long-chain alkyl epoxides and glycidyl ethers : an underrated class of monomers
Online publication date:	6-Aug-2021
Year of first publication:	2020
Language:	english
Abstract:	Long-chain epoxides and specifically alkyl glycidyl ethers represent a class of highly hydrophobic monomers for anionic ring-opening polymerization (AROP), resulting in apolar aliphatic polyethers. In contrast, poly(ethylene glycol) is known for its high solubility in water. The combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers in block and statistical copolymerization reactions enables the synthesis of amphiphilic polyethers for a wide range of purposes, utilizing micellar interactions in aqueous solutions, e.g., viscosity enhancement of aqueous solutions, formation of supramolecular hydrogels, or for polymeric surfactants. Controlled polymerization of these highly hydrophobic long-chain epoxide monomers via different synthesis strategies, AROP, monomer-activated anionic ring-opening polymerization, catalytic polymerization, or via postmodification, enables precise control of the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance. This renders amphiphilic polymers highly interesting candidates for specialized applications, e.g., as co-surfactants in microemulsion systems. Amphiphilic polyethers based on propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, such as poloxamers are already utilized in many established applications due to the high biocompatibility of the polyether backbone. Long alkyl chain epoxides add an interesting perspective to this area and permit structural tailoring. This review gives an overview of the recent developments regarding the synthesis of amphiphilic polyethers bearing long alkyl chains and their applications.
DDC:	540 Chemie 540 Chemistry and allied sciences
Institution:	Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Department:	FB 09 Chemie, Pharmazie u. Geowissensch.
Place:	Mainz
ROR:	https://ror.org/023b0x485
DOI:	http://doi.org/10.25358/openscience-6243
Version:	Published version
Publication type:	Zeitschriftenaufsatz
License:	CC BY
Information on rights of use:	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Journal:	Macromolecular rapid communications 41 15
Pages or article number:	2000225
Publisher:	Wiley-VCH
Publisher place:	Weinheim
Issue date:	2020
ISSN:	1521-3927
Publisher URL:	https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202000225
Publisher DOI:	10.1002/marc.202000225
Appears in collections:	JGU-Publikationen