Multidentate Polysarcosine-Based Ligands for Water-Soluble Quantum Dots

We describe the synthesis of heterotelechelic polysarcosine polymers and their use as multidentate ligands in the preparation of stable water-soluble quantum dots (QDs). Orthogonally functionalized polysarcosine with amine and dibenzocyclooctyl (DBCO) end groups is obtained by ring-opening polymerization of N-methylglycine N-carboxyanhydride with DBCO amine as initiator. In a first postpolymerization modification step, the future biological activity of the polymeric ligands is adjusted by modification of the amine terminus. Then, in a second postpolymerization modification step, azide functionalized di- and tridentate anchor compounds are introduced to the DBCO terminus of the polysarcosine…