Carbohydrate-Responsive Surface Adhesion Based on the Dynamic Covalent Chemistry of Phenylboronic Acid- and Catechol-Containing Polymer Brushes.

A glue, based on dynamic covalent chemistry, with a strong adhesion (2.38 kg cm ), water resistance and carbohydrate responsive reversibility is presented. Using surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP), glass and silicon surfaces were coated with copolymers functionalized with phenylboronic acids and catechols. In combination with microcontact printing (μCP) these polymer brushes give access to a carbohydrate responsive "supramolecular Velcro".