Preparation and characterization of glycopolymers with biphenyl spacers

Poly(vinylbiphenyl)s bearing glycoside ligands at the side chains were prepared using the Suzuku coupling reaction. Effects of glycoside reactant concentration, halide species, glycoside species, and catalyst species on the incorporation of glycoside ligand into the polymer were investigated. The obtained glycopolymers exhibited specific binding to proteins corresponding to the glycoside ligands. In addition, the biphenyl spacers formed by the Suzuki coupling reaction in the glycopolymer were fluorescent, whereas the polymer precursor was not.