Orthogonal approaches to the simultaneous and cascade functionalization of macromolecules using click chemistry.

The development of selective chemistries that are orthogonal to the diverse array of functional groups present in many polymeric systems is becoming an important tool for the synthesis and use of macromolecules in fields ranging from biomedical devices to nanotechnology. By combining copper-catalyzed cycloaddition chemistry with other synthetic transformations such as esterification, amidation, etc., highly efficient and modular simultaneous and cascade functionalization strategies have been developed. These single-step strategies for preparing multifunctional macromolecules represent a significant advance as compared to traditional multistep approaches, and the utility of these concepts is demonstrated by selective preparation of a diverse range of orthogonally functionalized vinyl polymers.