Orientated glyco-macroligand formation based on site-specific immobilization of O-cyanate chain-end functionalized glycopolymer

We report an oriented glyco-macroligand formation and its glyco-affinity capturing and glycoarray application by combining an O-cyanate chain-end functionalized glycopolymer with commercially available amine-functionalized silica gel and glass slides via isourea bond formation. The O-cyanate chain-end functionalized glycopolymer was synthesized via cyanoxyl-mediated free-radical polymerization (CMFRP) in a one-pot fashion. The oriented glyco-macroligand formation was conducted under mild aqueous conditions at room temperature and was confirmed with fluorescence imaging after specific lectin binding, and will find important biomedical applications such as in biosensors and glycoarrays. In addition, the O-cyanate chain-end functionalized glycopolymer can also be used for site-specific polymer-protein conjugation. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.