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Synthesis with Single Macromolecules: Covalent Connection between a Neutral Dendronized Polymer and Polyelectrolyte
Jörg Barner1, Rabie Al-Hellani, A Dieter Schlüter
1Department of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, D-12489 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
Single chains of a neutral, dendronized polymer with peripheral azide groups (PG3A) are co-deposited onto molecularly modified graphite substrates with a positively charged dendronized polymer (PG2) as well as with negatively charged plasmid dsDNA. PG3A is also prepared near graphite step-edges. Single PG3A chains are moved with a scanning force microscope tip, into close contact with either of the two polyelectrolytes, as well as the step-edge at predetermined positions. Treating these structures in situ with UV light leads to photochemically induced cross-linking between the PG3A chains carrying azide groups and PG2, dsDNA, and graphite step-edges, respectively, which is proven by mechanically challenging the "welding" points by pulling on the molecules with the SFM-tip.
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