Synthesis of thermo- and pH-responsive polysilsesquioxane with carboxylic acid group

The thermoresponsive polysilsesquioxanes containing N-(methoxyethyl)methylamide structures with carboxylic acid groups were newly prepared. In the syntheses of the polysilsesquioxanes, the silane coupling reagent, obtained from the reaction of (3-isocyanatopropyl)trimethoxysilane and (2-methoxyethyl)methylamine, was used for the co-condensation with (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane to give the polysilsesquioxane with mercapto group (MMEPSQ). MMEPSQ was employed as the intermediary compound to introduce carboxylic acid group through thiol-ene reaction. The polysilsesquioxane, which was prepared from the reaction of MMEPSQ and methacrylic acid showed the expected amphiphilic and thermoresponsive properties in an aqueous solution with addition of sodium hydroxide. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) owing to hydrophobic aggregation increased with pH value of the aqueous solution. Furthermoe, the use of MMEPSQ for the reactions with maleic anhydride and successive ring-opening reaction by the amines, which contained pyridine or 15-crown-5-ether ring, enabled the formations of multi-functionalized polysilsesquioxanes. In the case of the polysilsesquioxane containing carboxylic acid groups and pyridine rings, the pyridinium salt structure was favorable to keep an enough solubility in water and the reversible thermoresponsive behavior. The polysilsesquioxane containing the crown ether and carboxylic acid groups, the selective ion recognition property to alkali metal ion was observed.