biostudies-literatureRiga EKEuropean Research Council1800397https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7611512biostudies-literatureUnknown219(23)Robust, non-delaminating polymer coatings and hydrogels are needed for technical and biomedical applications. This study focusses on surface-attached poly(oxanorbornene) hydrogels obtained by simultaneous UV-activated crosslinking and surface-immobilization. The synthesis and copolymerization of two oxanorbornene monomers carrying the UV-crosslinkers malonic acid diazoester or benzophenone, which can both undergo UV-triggered C,H-insertion crosslinking (CHic), is presented. The crosslinking efficiency and network stability of hydrogels made from these self-crosslinkable polymers are studied and compared to the properties of poly(oxanorbornene) networks obtained by UV-triggered thiol-ene-reactions involving a low molecular weight crosslinker. Smooth, defect-free, non-delaminating hydrogel cMacromolecular chemistry and physicsNon-delaminating Polymer Hydrogel Coatings via C,H-Insertion Crosslinking (CHic) - A Case Study of Poly(oxanorbornenes).PMC7611512637920Ruhe JRiga EKLienkamp KfalseNon-delaminating Polymer Hydrogel Coatings via C,H-Insertion Crosslinking (CHic) - A Case Study of Poly(oxanorbornenes).Robust, non-delaminating polymer coatings and hydrogels are needed for technical and biomedical applications. This study focusses on surface-attached poly(oxanorbornene) hydrogels obtained by simultaneous UV-activated crosslinking and surface-immobilization. The synthesis and copolymerization of two oxanorbornene monomers carrying the UV-crosslinkers malonic acid diazoester or benzophenone, which can both undergo UV-triggered C,H-insertion crosslinking (CHic), is presented. The crosslinking efficiency and network stability of hydrogels made from these self-crosslinkable polymers are studied and compared to the properties of poly(oxanorbornene) networks obtained by UV-triggered thiol-ene-reactions involving a low molecular weight crosslinker. Smooth, defect-free, non-delaminating hydrogel c2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Dec2026-05-08T07:38:36.937Z2022-02-11T08:18:06.439ZS-EPMC76115123440497910.1002/macp.201800397