Glycosaminoglycan mimetic biomaterials. 2. Alkene- and acrylate-derivatized glycopolymers via cyanoxyl-mediated free-radical polymerization

Cyanoxyl ((OC)-O-. dropN)-mediated free-radical polymerization provides an effective and versatile method for engineering a diverse array of water-sol uble glycopolymers with high saccharide contents and low polydispersity ind exes (1.1 < M-w/M-n < 1.6). Cyanoxyl persistent radicals can be used as cha in-growth moderators of the statistical copolymerization of acrylamide with either nonsulfated or sulfated N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-carrying alkene- and acrylate-derivatized unprotected glycomonomers. Moreover, monosaccharide-c ontaining homopolymers can be prepared with some degree of control by polym erization of the acrylic glycomonomers.