Glycopolymer preparation via post-polymerization modification using N -succinimidyl monomers

N-succinimidyl monomers such as N-methacryloxysuccinimide (MASI) and N-acryloxysuccinimide (ASI) were utilized as prepolymers to synthesize glycopolymers via postpolymerization modification. Living radical polymerization with RAFT agents succeeded using not only MASI but also ASI. While the polymerization with ATRP initiator did not succeed using ASI, the procedure was successful with MASI. MASI was also applicable for SI-ATRP reactions on substrate surfaces. The introduction rate of NH2-terminated saccharide onto the prepolymer via amine coupling reaction was affected by the reaction temperature. This preparation procedure via postpolymerization modification is expected to provide a facile method for various functional polymers, such as other saccharide and beneficial ligands.