Generic, Metal-Free Cross-Linking and Modification of Silicone Elastomers Using Click Ligation

Silicone elastomers are widely used in a variety of biomaterials applications. Their high hydrophobicity can, in some cases, compromise their utility. There exist few convenient, efficient and metal-free processes to introduce hydrophilic groups onto the elastomer surface. We describe the utilization of the metal-free click reaction between azido- and alkynyl-modified silicones to both cross-link and functionalize silicone elastomers. Initial …