Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Chemoselective Modification of Viral Surfaces via Bioorthogonal Click Chemistry
Published on: August 19, 2012
Azide/alkyne-"click"-reactions of encapsulated reagents: toward self-healing materials
Maria Gragert1, Marlen Schunack, Wolfgang H Binder
1Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences II, Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, von-Danckelmannplatz 4, D-06120 Halle, Germany.
Abstract:
The successful encapsulation of reactive components for the azide/alkyne-"click"-reaction is reported featuring for the first time the use of a liquid polymer as reactive component. A liquid, azido-telechelic three-arm star poly(isobutylene) (M(n) = 3900 g · mol⁻¹) as well as trivalent alkynes were encapsulated into micron-sized capsules and embedded into a polymer-matrix (high-molecular weight poly(isobutylene), M(n) = 250,000 g · mol⁻¹). Using (Cu(I)Br(PPh₃)₃) as catalyst for the azide/alkyne-"click"-reaction, crosslinking of the two components at 40 °C is observed within 380 min and as fast as 10 min at 80 °C. Significant recovery of the tensile storage modulus was observed in a material containing 10 wt.-% and accordingly 5 wt.-% capsules including the reactive components within 5 d at room temperature, thus proving a new concept for materials with self-healing properties.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.
Preparation of 1° Amines: Azide Synthesis
Azide ions act as good nucleophiles and react with unhindered alkyl halides to form alkyl azides. Alkyl azides do not participate in further nucleophilic substitution reactions, thereby eliminating the chances of polyalkylated products. Alkyl azides are reduced by hydride-based reducing agents, like lithium aluminum...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...
Aryldiazonium Salts to Azo Dyes: Diazo Coupling
Acid-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides
Base-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides

