Polymer Synthesis: Copper‐Catalyzed Azide Alkyne Cycloaddition

Abstract

The Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction is one of the most widely employed “click” chemistry processes due to its ability to produce functional polymers and various architectures of polymers. Some unique properties of CuAAC include high selectivity, near‐perfect reliability, high yields, and exceptional tolerance toward a wide range of functional groups and reaction conditions. Furthermore, CuAAC is an extremely chemoselective reaction, which forms triazole; therefore, it can be used for functional polymer materials and also for modifying highly functional biomolecules such as polypeptides, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides. The application of CuAAC ‘‘clicking’’ in polymer chemistry is increasing exponentially, leading to fabrication of a growing family of well‐defined polymer materials with novel properties.