Polylactides Bearing Vanillin at Chain End Provided Dual Dynamic Interactions: Stereocomplex Formation and Nanostructure Control

The chemical modification of the polymer chain end group of polylactide is important for the development of nanostructural materials. Herein, the first example of dual dynamic functionality in polylactides bearing vanillin at the chain end is first demonstrated. The first function, stereocomplex formation of both enantiomeric polymers, results in an enhancement in thermal resistance, while the second creates reversibility through amine-imine transformation. This transformation self-assembles into interesting morphologies, including raindrop-like nanoparticles observed on imine formation, and spider-web-like fibrous ones observed on aldehyde formation from hydrophobic-hydrophilic stimuli by acid. These properties indicate that the present polymer shows dual dynamic building block moiety properties, composed of the natural products.