biostudies-literatureDockendorff JNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of CanadaDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftEuropean Research CouncilGovernment of the Russian Federation8108-8122https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9062874biostudies-literatureUnknown53(18)Arborescent copolymers with a core-shell-corona (CSC) architecture were synthesized and the topology of the molecules was challenged (constrained) through intramolecular interactions, resulting in phase separation breaking the symmetry of radial density. The inner poly(2-vinylpyridine) shell of these arborescent polystyrene-<i>g</i>-[poly(2-vinylpyridine)-<i>b</i>-polystyrene] molecules can self-assemble by binding metallic salts and acids in apolar and intermediate-polarity solvents. Upon loading with HAuCl₄, the characteristics of the polymer templates govern the "loading sites" of the metal within the molecules. Unique morphologies were observed for the metal-loaded G0-G4 arborescent copolymers investigated, namely, spherical, toroidal, raspberry-like, spherical nanocage, andMacromoleculesMetal Coordination Induces Phase Segregation in Amphipolar Arborescent Copolymers with a Core-Shell-Corona Architecture.PMC906287402.A03.21.0011695716SFB 985Moller MGumerov RAMourran AGauthier MDockendorff JPotemkin IIfalseMetal Coordination Induces Phase Segregation in Amphipolar Arborescent Copolymers with a Core-Shell-Corona Architecture.Arborescent copolymers with a core-shell-corona (CSC) architecture were synthesized and the topology of the molecules was challenged (constrained) through intramolecular interactions, resulting in phase separation breaking the symmetry of radial density. The inner poly(2-vinylpyridine) shell of these arborescent polystyrene-<i>g</i>-[poly(2-vinylpyridine)-<i>b</i>-polystyrene] molecules can self-assemble by binding metallic salts and acids in apolar and intermediate-polarity solvents. Upon loading with HAuCl₄, the characteristics of the polymer templates govern the "loading sites" of the metal within the molecules. Unique morphologies were observed for the metal-loaded G0-G4 arborescent copolymers investigated, namely, spherical, toroidal, raspberry-like, spherical nanocage, and2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Sep2025-04-25T18:05:55.835Z2025-04-25T18:05:55.835ZS-EPMC90628743551645810.1021/acs.macromol.0c00778