Carbohydrate-Containing Polymers

Abstract

Research on syntheses and functions of polymers consisting of carbohydrate and noncarbohydrate moieties is now expanding rapidly. An advance in the field is attributable to discoveries of important biological roles of carbohydrates, developments of chemical and physical methods and techniques for separation, analysis, and synthesis, as well as demand for effective utilization of renewable resources. The present review deals with three different types of the polymers :
(1) Modified polysaccharides. Discussion is focused on regioselectivities of chemical modifications.
(2) Polymers containing carbohydrates in the main chain. Recently developed routes for condensation polymers and block copolymers are described.
(3) Polymers having pendant carbohydrates. Polymer-supported carbohydrates are used as intermediates in the syntheses of carbohydrates and as potential chiral templates. Linear, soluble polymers are also of interest as amphiphilic polymers capable of binding organic solutes in water and as tools for examination of bioorganic mechanisms and for pharmacological applications. Oligosaccharide-containing polymers are expected to play a role in recognition, acting as receptors for lectins, enzymes, proteins, hormones, and viruses.