Glycosylation initiated cationic ring-opening polymerization of tetrahydrofuran to prepare neo-glycopolymers

An unprecedented and highly efficient glycosylation initiated cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) of tetrahydrofuran is disclosed employing glycosyl ortho-hexynylbenzoates as donors and gold(I) as a catalyst, that provides an easy access to novel glycopolymers which could self-assemble into nanostructures.