Functionalization of crystalline colloidal arrays through click chemistry

The preparation of well-defined and regioselectively functionalized ordered colloidal particles through the exploitation of 'click' transformations is presented; specifically, the copper(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between azides and terminal alkynes to form 1,2,3-triazoles is utilized. This approach is demonstrated through the attachment of 9-azidomethylanthracene to post-hydrogel stabilized, ordered poly(propargyl acrylate) colloidal particles.