Synthesis of polyelectrolytes bearing phosphorylcholine Moieties

We report on the modification of the polyelectrolytes Poly(L-glutamic acid) (PGA), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and Poly(L-lySine) (PLL) with side groups bearing phosphorylcholine (PC) groups. Two different side chains were synthesized from monoamino tri- or tetraethylene glycol, both with PC group linked to the OH end: the tert-butyloxycarbonyl protected compounds BOCNH(EO)(n)PC (n = 2, 3) and the succinylated compound SucNH(EO)(3)PC. BOCNH(EO)(n)PC was deprotected and the resulting amine was con- X Y densed with PGA or PAA and SucNH(EO)3PC was directly coupled to PLL. Degrees of substitution as high as 80% were obtained with the method described. These polyelectrolytes are potential candidates to fabricate multilayers with protein repellent properties.