Title: Catechol bio-based polymers for surface modification of nanomaterials

Abstract

Catechol-based polymers have been received much focus as a result of their unprecedented under-water adhesion. Despite of several attempts, the preparation of catechol based materials requires multi-step protection and deprotection of catechol group. The synthesis poly(N-carboxyanhydrides) containing robust anchoring group requires further investigation owing to their structural versatility and potential applications in medicine. The application of organocatalysis in ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of N-substituted N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) monomers is discussed. Important updates on the dual functionality of Brønsted base to subdue the catecholic functions in dormant form and to promote the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) in a living manner is articulated. Well-defined polypeptoids with predicted molecular weights (Mn, NMR = 4.4 KDa) and dispersities (Đ) of 1.1 are synthesized and further used for the functionalization of manganese oxide and silver nanoparticles. Herein, the synthesis of catechol based polypeptoids and polyethers for surface modification of metallic nanoparticles are highlighted. In this review the recent advances in the synthesis of catechol bearing bio-based polymers and organocatalysis in ROP of N-carboxyanhydrides are elaborated in depth. Furthermore, the application of catechol based amphiphilic block copolymers for surface modification of nanomaterials is discussed. This finding could be used as a platform for the synthesis of biocompatible and water dispersible metallic nanomaterials in nanomedicine.