Orthogonal multifunctionalization of aliphatic polycarbonate via sequential Michael addition and radical-thiol-ene click reactions

Aliphatic polycarbonate (PC) copolymer is synthesized by ring opening copolymerization of acrylate- and allyl-functional cyclic carbonate monomers. The post-polymerization functionalization of the resulting copolymer is performed quantitatively using a variety of thiol compounds via sequential Michael addition and photo-induced radical thiol-ene click reactions within relatively short reaction time at ambient temperature. This metal-free click chemistry methodology affords the synthesis of biocompatible PC copolymer with multifunctional groups.