Facile design of biomaterials by 'click' chemistry

The advent of the so‐called ‘click chemistry’ a decade ago has significantly improved the chemical toolbox for producing novel biomaterials. This review focuses primarily on the application of Cu(I)‐catalysed azide–alkyne 1,3‐cycloadditon in the preparation of numerous, diverse biomaterials and biomedical materials and concepts.

In addition, the thiol–ene ‘click’ reaction is addressed in the same manner, and the possibility of using both click reactions orthogonally is highlighted. A strategy for the preparation of novel intriguing poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐based nanobiomaterials by orthogonal click chemistry is elaborated. The present state of creating functional and biologically active surfaces by click chemistry is presented.

Finally, conducting surfaces based on an azide‐functionalized polymer with prospective biological sensor potential are introduced. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry