Tetrazine-norbornene click reactions to functionalize degradable polymers derived from lactide

Post-polymerization modification of polymers derived from sustainable resources using the click reaction between tetrazines and norbornenes is shown to provide a mild and efficient route for the synthesis of functional degradable polymers. Norbornene chain-end functional poly(lactide) was synthesized using organocatalytic methods and functionalized by the addition of 3,6-di-2-pyridyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine without degradation of the polymer backbone. The versatility of this reaction was demonstrated by the application of analogues bearing amine and poly(ethylene oxide) groups to realize amine-functional polymers and block copolymers. Poly(spiro[6-methyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione-3,2'-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept[5]ene]) was prepared from lactide. The pendant norbornene group on the backbone of the resultant polymer was modified in a similar manner to produce functional degradable polymers and graft co-polymers.