Poly(2-oxazoline)s as Smart Bioinspired Polymers

Abstract

Poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s can be regarded as pseudo-peptides or bioinspired polymers, which are available through living/controlled cationic polymerization and polymer ("click") modification procedures. Materials and solution properties may be adjusted via the nature of the side chain (hydrophilic-hydrophobic, chiral, bio-functional, etc.), opening the way to stimulus-responsive materials and complex colloidal structures in aqueous environments. Herein, we give an overview over the macromolecular engineering of polyoxazolines, including the synthesis of biohybrids, and the "smart"/bioinspired aggregation behavior in solution.