On page 596, Sanghun Han and Yong-beom Lim report on the development of polyacrylamide gel stabilization electrophoresis (PASE) technology to covalently capture, physically constrain, and stabilize biologically active α-helical peptides (green) into a polyacrylamide hydrogel network (white). They synthesized a bioactive RNA-binding helical peptide with acryloyl groups at both ends of the peptide, covalently captured in its bioactive helical conformation into the polyacrylamide network via radical polymerization, and investigated whether the peptide can specifically recognize its target RNA molecule. This newly developed technology has the potential to be applied in many applications in which specific biomacromolecular recognition is necessary within a polymer hydrogel network.

Various functionalities could be installed on the terminus of commercially-available isotactic-poly(propylene-co-hexene) (iPPH) using standard organic transformations, as presented by Abbey Hicks, Binhong Lin, Philip L. Osburn, and Christopher E. Hobbs on page 600. An atom-economical, copper-catalyzed click reaction could also be utilized to prepare useful iPPH-supported species that exhibited high phase-selective solubility (>98%) for nonpolar solvents over their polar counterparts. This feature allowed for the liquid/liquid recovery and reuse of an iPPH-supported DMAP organocatalyst. Furthermore, the semi-crystalline nature of this support permitted its recovery as a solid upon precipitation into a polar solvent. The ability to easily use more than one recovery technique makes iPPH an attractive, versatile support.

The synthesis of the 2,5-dipropenylthiophene monomer possessing exclusively cis-double bond configurations through the reduction of a dipropynylthiophene precursor is reported. Lindlar's catalyst is found to be completely ineffective, while a dissolving metal method involving activated zinc is successful in alkyne reduction to cis-alkenes with high yields and excellent selectivity. The acyclic diene metathesis polymerization of the monomer affords the poly(2,5-thienylene vinylene) polymer of a high molecular weight.

A strategy to incorporate, physically constrain, and stabilize biologically active α-helical peptides into the polyacrylamide hydrogel network is developed. A bioactive RNA-binding helical peptide with polymerizable acryloyl groups at both ends of the peptide is synthesized and covalently captured in its bioactive helical conformation into the polyacrylamide network via radical polymerization. The usefulness of this approach is demonstrated by the specific recognition of RNAs in the polyacrylamide gel stabilization electrophoresis (PASE) system.

A new isotactic-poly(propylene-co-hexene) (iPPH)-supported catalyst is described. Soluble polymer-supports are typically used for catalyst recovery and reuse using either one of two methods (solid/liquid or liquid/liquid), depending on the polymer's solubility. The need for robust, versatile supports that can be used for more than one type of recovery is evident. The iPPH-supported DMAP catalyst can be used in both liquid/liquid and liquid/solid recovery techniques, which allow for its recovery and reuse.

A unique series of random polybenzimidazole (PBI) copolymers consisting of the recently reported novel isomeric AB-PBI (i-AB-PBI) and the well-known AB-PBI are synthesized. The r-AB-PBI system introduces disorder through random isomerism in polymer sequences when compared with the ordered structures of both AB-PBI and i-ABPBI. Random copolymers varying in composition at 10 mol % increments are synthesized to evaluate the effects of sequence isomerism. The disrupted regularity of the sequence in the polymer main chain is found to affect fundamental polymer properties, such as chain packing, solubility, glass transition temperatures (T_g), and membrane properties for high-temperature fuel cell applications.

Degradable linear polymers with different degrees of hydrophilicity are obtained. The repeating unit contains a free alcohol function, while other secondary alcohols are protected. The polymerization reaction is followed through differential scanning calorimetry analysis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.

A series of new crosslinkable conjugated polymers, derivatives of region-regular poly(3-hexylthiophene), are synthesized and investigated in organic photovoltaic devices. The individual effect of the conditions employed in the crosslinking is investigated, and an overall beneficial effect upon crosslinking on the device stability is shown.

A series of tertiary amine functionalized poly(L-glutamate)s (TA-PGs) are synthesized by the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction of azido tertiary amines with poly(γ-propargyl-L-glutamate) (PPLG). The pH- and thermo-responsiveness of the resulting TA-PGs are tested and found to be dependent on the structures of Nsubstituted groups and “linkers” in the side chains.

Polyurethane ionomers with terminal COOH groups are synthesized by using trimellitic anhydride (TMA). The neutralization with triethyl amine (TEA) enables the dispersibility into water. The benefit of COOH groups located at the polymer chain end are pH values in the range of 6.7–6.9. Additionally, ionomers are developed with a combined stabilization with TMA and dimethylol propionic acid. Mechanical properties and thermal behaviors of the films can be controlled through the incorporation of these ionic building blocks.

Polymers with benzendinitrile side chains are synthesized via reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer. Soluble Zn(II) phthalocyanine (Pc)-containing (ZnPc) polymers are achieved by post-polymerization modification of the obtained polymers. The potential application of this ZnPc-functionalized polymer as an electron donor material in a bulk heterojunction organic solar cell is studied.

A novel cyanate-containing reactive polymer, poly[2-(4-cyanatophenyl)ethyl methacrylate] (PCPMA), is designed and synthesized for post-functionalization at the cyanate ester moiety. The model reaction reveals that the cyanate ester shows chemoselective reactivity with aliphatic amines. The post-functionalization of PCPMA is achieved by the reaction with a secondary aliphatic amine or by the crosslinking with aliphatic diamines.

For the first time, block-copolymers are used as polymeric hosts for electrolytes in quasi solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. The use of block-copolymers allows the tuning of properties and morphologies that, in turn, affect device performances. For the optimal ratio of polystyrene:poly(ethylene oxide), overall power conversion efficiencies comparable to that of conventional liquid solar cells are obtained.

Photopolymerized composites containing in situ photogenerated gold nanoparticles are synthesized, and the degree of conversion of double bonds from urethane dimethacrylates is greater than 70% (after 5 min of UV irradiation). These nanoparticles present a resonance plasmon band at 535 nm and emit fluorescence at 575 nm. X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and small angle X-ray scattering technique analyses demonstrate their homogeneous distribution in the matrix. The addition of thiol methacrylate controls the size and shape of gold nanoparticles.