New Stimuli Responsive Poly(1-vinylpyrrolidin-2-one) Bearing Pendant Activated Disulphide Groups

A novel functionalized poly(1-vinylpyrrolidin-2-one) (PVP) deriv., carrying a pre-detd. amt. of 2-(2-pyridinyldithio)ethylamine moieties as side substituents, P(VP-co-VP-SS-Py), has been prepd. from carboxylated VP copolymers, in turn obtained by copolymg. 1-vinylpyrrolidin-2-one with 3,3-di-(ethoxycarbonyl)-1-vinylpyrrolidin-2-one in the presence of radical initiators. Using reaction solvents acting in the mean time as chain transfer agents could control its mol. wt. P(VP-co-VP-SS-Py) proved to be extremely reactive towards exchange reactions with mols. contg. mercapto functions, including bioactive peptides. The exchange deriv. with reduced glutathione, chosen as a model compd., was easily prepd.