Exploring the construction of multicompartmental micelles by halogen bonding of complementary macromolecules

An approach to the construction of multicompartmental micelles, using halogen bonding between complementary macromolecules, is described. The design involves a sequential assembly protocol, in which the initial compartments are formed by interpolymer halogen bonding, followed by the collapse of a second, hydrophobic compartment upon transfer to aqueous solvent. Triblock terpolymers incorporating a halogen bond accepting segment have been synthesized. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize multicompartmental assemblies generated from these terpolymers in the presence of a halogen bond donor-functionalized polystyrene derivative.