Abstract: The application provides a method of producing a comb polymer comprising the steps of: (a) Providing: (i) a plurality of monomers which are linear, branched or star-shaped, substituted or non-substituted, and have an olefinically unsaturated moiety, the olefinically unsaturated moiety being capable of undergoing addition polymerisation; (ii) an initiator compound; the initiator compound comprising a homolytically cleavable bond. (iii) a catalyst capable of catalysing the polymerisation of the monomer; and (b) Causing the catalyst to catalyse, in combination with the initiator, the polymerisation of a plurality of the monomers to produce the comb polymer. Catalysts and polymers obtainable by the process are also provided. Preferably, the comb polymer is capable of binding proteins and may be produced from monomers which are alkoxy polyethers, such as poly(alkyleneglycol) or polytetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: The application provides a method of producing a comb polymer comprising the steps of: (a) Providing: (i) a plurality of monomers which are linear, branched or star-shaped, substituted or non-substituted, and have an olefinically unsaturated moiety, the olefinically unsaturated moiety being capable of undergoing addition polymerization; (ii) an initiator compound; the initiator compound comprising a homolytically cleavable bond. (iii) a catalyst capable of catalysing the polymerization of the monomer; and (b) Causing the catalyst to catalyse, in combination with the initiator, the polymerization of a plurality of the monomers to produce the comb polymer. Catalysts and polymers obtainable by the process are also provided. Preferably, the comb polymer is capable of binding proteins and may be produced from monomers which are alkoxy polyethers, such as poly(alkyleneglycol) or polytetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: The application discloses a process for making a polymer having pendant side groups comprising: (i) polymerising an olefinically unsaturated monomer functionalised with (a) an azide group optionally protected by a protecting group, or (b) an alkyne group optionally protected by a protecting group, by living radical polymerisation, most preferably RAFT, transitional metal mediated living radical polymerisation (TMM-LRP) and/or atom transfer radical polymerisation, to produce a polymer intermediate; (ii) removing, when present, at least a portion of the total number of protecting groups from the polymer intermediate; (iii) reacting the polymer intermediate with at least one pendant side group moiety functionalised with (a) an alkyne group or (b) an azide group respectively so that the alkyne and azide groups react to attach the pendant side group to the polymer. Processes for making supports comprising pendant side groups, and polymers and supports prepared by the method are also disclosed.