Novel polymer coupling chemistry based upon latent cysteine-like residues and thiazolidine chemistry

Chain end functional polymers were prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization techniques that were further chain extended with acrylonitrile. Under reducing conditions, latent cysteine-like residues were exposed at the chain ends. A variety of reduction conditions were explored and base polymers were then tethered together via thiazolidine chemistry.