Macromolecules, Vol.37, No.2, 310-314, 2004
Synthesis and recognition properties of polymers containing embedded binding sites
We report the synthesis and guest affinities of polymers featuring a single recognition site in the middle of the polymer chain. These polymers were synthesized from difunctional initiators based on the 2,6-diacyldiaminopyridine moiety. Binding efficiencies were experimentally determined using a complementary fluorescent guest, N(10)-isopropyl flavin. The effect of polymer length on recognition was explored by the synthesis of 5 PMMA samples ranging from 4K to 25K. Over this range binding constants increased almost 2-fold, from 282 to 522 M-1. Variable temperature fluorescence of bound samples shows a 15% difference in release between polymer samples and model compounds.