Dynamic and Responsive DNA-like Polymers

The
synthesis of thiolactone monomers that mimic natural nucleosides
and engage in robust ring opening polymerizations (ROP) is herein
described. As each repeat unit contains a thioester functional group,
dynamic rearrangement of the polymer is feasible via thiol-thioester
exchange, demonstrated here by depolymerization of the polymers and
coalescing of two polymers of different molecular weight or chemical
composition. This approach constitutes the first step toward a platform
that enables for the routine synthesis of sequence controlled polymers
via dynamic template directed synthesis.