Preparation and lectin binding specificity of polystyrene particles grafted with glycopolymers bearing S-linked carbohydrates

Polystyrene particles bearing ATRP initiating groups, obtained by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of styrene (St) and 2-chloropropyloxyethyl methacrylate (CPEM), were subjected to surface-initiated activator generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) using glycomonomers, i.e., 4-vinylbenzenesulfonamidoethyl 1-thio-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and 4-vinylbenzenesulfonamidoethyl 1-thio-β-d-lactoside (2). The glycopolymer-grafted polystyrene particles obtained Gp1 and Gp2 were shown to have hydrated graft layers of 15–65 nm in thickness on the cores of 370 nm in diameter. Gp1 and Gp2 coagulated in the presence of concanavalin A (Con A) and that of peanut agglutinin (PNA), respectively, showing highly specific response toward lectins.