Long‐chain epoxides and specifically alkyl glycidyl ethers represent a class of highly hydrophobic monomers for anionic ring‐opening polymerization (AROP), resulting in apolar aliphatic polyethers. In contrast, poly(ethylene glycol) is known for its high solubility in water. The combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers in block and statistical copolymerization reactions enables the synthesis of amphiphilic polyethers for a wide range of purposes, utilizing micellar interactions in aqueous solutions, e.g., viscosity enhancement of aqueous solutions, formation of supramolecular hydrogels, or for polymeric surfactants. Controlled polymerization of these highly hydrophobic long‐chain epoxide monomers via different synthesis strategies, AROP, monomer‐activated anionic ring‐opening polymerization, catalytic polymerization, or via postmodification, enables precise control of the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance. This renders amphiphilic polymers highly interesting candidates for specialized applications, e.g., as co‐surfactants in microemulsion systems. Amphiphilic polyethers based on propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, such as poloxamers are already utilized in many established applications due to the high biocompatibility of the polyether backbone. Long alkyl chain epoxides add an interesting perspective to this area and permit structural tailoring. This review gives an overview of the recent developments regarding the synthesis of amphiphilic polyethers bearing long alkyl chains and their applications.

中文翻译：

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长链烷基环氧和缩水甘油醚：一类被低估的单体。

长链环氧化物，特别是烷基缩水甘油醚代表一类高度疏水的单体，可用于阴离子开环聚合（AROP），从而产生非极性脂族聚醚。相反，聚乙二醇因在水中的高溶解度而闻名。疏水和亲水单体在嵌段和统计共聚反应中的结合，可以利用水溶液中的胶束相互作用，例如，提高水溶液的粘度，形成超分子水凝胶或用于聚合物表面活性剂，实现两亲性聚醚的广泛用途。通过不同的合成策略，AROP，单体活化的阴离子开环聚合，催化聚合，控制这些高度疏水的长链环氧单体的聚合 或通过后修饰，可以精确控制亲水/亲脂平衡。这使得两亲聚合物成为特殊应用的高度有趣的候选物，例如，作为微乳液体系中的助表面活性剂。由于聚醚主链的高生物相容性，基于环氧丙烷和环氧乙烷的两亲性聚醚（例如泊洛沙姆）已被用于许多既定应用中。长烷基链环氧化物为该领域增添了趣味，并允许进行结构调整。这篇综述概述了有关带有长烷基链的两亲性聚醚的合成及其应用的最新进展。作为微乳液体系中的助表面活性剂。由于聚醚主链的高生物相容性，基于环氧丙烷和环氧乙烷的两亲性聚醚（例如泊洛沙姆）已被用于许多既定应用中。长烷基链环氧化物为该领域增添了趣味，并允许进行结构调整。这篇综述概述了有关带有长烷基链的两亲性聚醚的合成及其应用的最新进展。作为微乳液体系中的助表面活性剂。由于聚醚主链的高生物相容性，基于环氧丙烷和环氧乙烷的两亲性聚醚（例如泊洛沙姆）已被用于许多既定应用中。长烷基链环氧化物为该领域增添了趣味，并允许进行结构调整。这篇综述概述了有关带有长烷基链的两亲性聚醚的合成及其应用的最新进展。