Functionalizing poly(cyclic olefins) using copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne "click" reactions

A robust method for functionalizing poly(cyclic olefin) surfaces comprised of Zeonor 1060R was developed. These surfaces were first oxidized using two separate methods, ozonolysis and oxygen plasma treatment, to increase their hydrophilic properties and produce carboxylic acids on the surface. The resulting acids enabled direct amide coupling with various amines containing azide or alkyne moieties onto the surface. These modified surfaces were further functionalized via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC) on the surface and the method was optimized for this material. Surface modifications were characterized by water contact angle measurements, fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Our data demonstrates a robust method for generating "clickable" Zeonor 1060R surfaces as demonstrated through attachment and subsequent detection of a triazole-linked fluorophore. The method developed enables the systematic modification of any poly(cyclic olefin) surface for functionalization using the click reaction.