One-pot synthesis of polymeric nanoparticle by ring-opening metathesis polymerization

Shell-functionalized polymeric nanoparticle was prepared through the method of polymerization-induced self-assembly of block copolymers [poly(2,3-bis(2-bromoisobutyryloxymethyl)-5-norbornene)-block-poly(7-oxanorborn- 5-ene-exo-exo-2,3-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester), PBNBE-b-PONBDM] via one-pot ring-opening metathesis polymerization of 2,3-bis(2-bromoisobutyryloxymethyl)- 5-norbornene (BNBE) and 7-oxanorborn-5-ene-exo-exo-2,3-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester (ONBDM) in a selective solvent. The compositions and the molecular weights of the copolymers were estimated by ¹H-NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The micelles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron micrograph, and atomic force microscopy. The results indicated that the spherical micelles constructed with bromine-bearing PBNBE shell and PONBDM core were stable and reproducible in toluene.