In this review we aim to provide an introductory guide to blocked isocyanates, through discussion on different examples of blocking groups, along with experimental considerations for their application.

Amphiphilic block copolymers with synthetic nucleobase-containing blocks as the hydrophobic segments were successfully synthesized using RAFT polymerisation and then self-assembled via solvent switch in aqueous solutions.

Well-defined N,N′-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate (DMAEA) functionalized polymeric stars have been synthesized via an arm-first approach.