The renewable monomer ε-decalactone is an excellent partner to L-lactide, where their copolymers overcome inherent drawbacks of polylactide, such as low thermal stability and brittleness. ε-Decalactone is a seven-membered lactone that was successfully polymerized with Sn(Oct)(2) and 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene into both an amorphous homopolymer and copolymers with high molecular weight, low dispersity, and predicted macromolecular architecture. The thermoresilient nature of ε-decalactone is reflected in a high polymerization ceiling temperature and increased thermal stability for the prepared copolymers. The high ceiling temperature enables easy modulation of the polymerization rate via temperature while maintaining architectural control. The apparent rate constant was increased 15-fold when the temperature was increased from 110 to 150 °C. Copolymers of L-lactide and ε-decalactone, either with the latter as a central block in triblock polymers or with randomly positioned monomers, exhibited exceptionally tough material characteristics. The triblock copolymer had an elongation-at-break 250 times greater than that of pure poly(L-lactide). The toughness of the copolymers is attributed to the flexible nature of the polymer derived from the monomer ε-decalactone and to the segment immiscibility. These properties result in phase separation to soft and hard domains, which provides the basis for the elastomeric behavior.

The design of the 3D architecture surfaces with both space- and time-dependent functionality (cell attraction, pH-trigged self-cleaning, antiseptic/disinfection) is in the focus. The innovative story includes: sonochemical surface activation, formation of feedback surface component (pH-responsible micelles), proof of responsive activity (time resolved cell adhesion and bacteria deactivation) and space adhesion selectivity (surface patterning).

We report on the fabrication of a novel material with the ability to remain in solution even under the very demanding conditions required for structural and dynamic characterization of biomacromolecule assays. This stability is provided by the increase in surface area of a low density material (aluminium) natively coated with a very hydrophilic surface composed of aluminium oxide (Al(2)O(3)) and metallic silver nanoparticles. Additionally, due to the dense collection of active hot spots on their surface, this material offers higher levels of SERS intensity as compared with the same free and aggregated silver nanoparticles.

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The synthesis of poly(glyceryl glycerol) (PGG), a polymer featuring a polyethylene oxide backbone and 1,2‐diol groups in every repeating unit, is presented. PGG was prepared by monomer‐activated ring‐opening polymerization of (dl−1,2‐isopropylidene glyceryl) glycidyl ether, introducing a functional azido‐ or bromo‐head group to each chain. The 1,2‐diol groups, which were released by acidic deprotection, readily reacted with boronic acid derivatives, enabling the attachment of functional moieties under mild aqueous conditions. PGG was conjugated to poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) via azide‐alkyne cycloaddition and the resulting copolymer assembled into nanoparticles of 70 nm diameter in aqueous solution. Labeling of the PGG–PLLA particles was achieved by simple mixing with a boronic acid‐functional fluorophore. The labeling efficiency was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy to be 85.5% for boronic acid‐functional rhodamine B compared with 0.2% for plain rhodamine B. The strong interaction of PGG with boronic acids is ascribed to its polyol structure. This study demonstrates the usefulness and versatility of PGG as a hydrophilic polymer for possible biomedical applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1822–1830

News of the Academy of sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan 2 NAS RK is pleased to announce that News of NAS RK. Series of chemistry and technologies scientific journal has been accepted for indexing in the Emerging Sources Citation Index, a new edition of Web of Science. Content in this index is under consideration by Clarivate Analytics to be accepted in the Science Citation Index Expanded, the Social Sciences Citation Index, and the Arts & Humanities Citation Index. The quality and depth of content Web of Science offers to researchers, authors, publishers, and institutions sets it apart from other research databases. The inclusion of News of NAS RK. Series of chemistry and technologies in the Emerging Sources Citation Index demonstrates our dedication to providing the most relevant and influential content of chemical sciences to our community. Қазақстан Республикасы Ұлттық ғылым академиясы "ҚР ҰҒА Хабарлары. Химия жəне технология сериясы" ғылыми журналының Web of Science-тің жаңаланған нұсқасы Emerging Sources Citation Index-те индекстелуге қабылданғанын хабарлайды. Бұл индекстелу барысында Clarivate Analytics компаниясы журналды одан əрі the Science Citation Index Expanded, the Social Sciences Citation Index жəне the Arts & Humanities Citation Index-ке қабылдау мəселесін қарастыруда. Webof Science зерттеушілер, авторлар, баспашылар мен мекемелерге контент тереңдігі мен сапасын ұсынады. ҚР ҰҒА Хабарлары. Химия жəне технология сериясы Emerging Sources Citation Index-ке енуі біздің қоғамдастық үшін ең өзекті жəне беделді химиялық ғылымдар бойынша контентке адалдығымызды білдіреді. НАН РК сообщает, что научный журнал «Известия НАН РК. Серия химии и технологий» был принят для индексирования в Emerging Sources Citation Index, обновленной версии Web of Science. Содержание в этом индексировании находится в стадии рассмотрения компанией Clarivate Analytics для дальнейшего принятия журнала в the Science Citation Index Expanded, the Social Sciences Citation Index и the Arts & Humanities Citation Index. Web of Science предлагает качество и глубину контента для исследователей, авторов, издателей и учреждений. Включение Известия НАН РК в Emerging Sources Citation Index демонстрирует нашу приверженность к наиболее актуальному и влиятельному контенту по химическим наукам для нашего сообщества.

A cavitation-engineered 3D sponge network is presented as a kaleidoscope image in its active surface construction. The work of D. V. Andreeva, E. V. Skorb, and co-workers, presented on page 985, was inspired by the urgent need for time-and spaceresponsive biocompatible surfaces for antifouling systems, the constriction of metal implants, stem-cell research, SERS studies, etc. Adhesion of cells onto the surface is self-regulated by their metabolism. Controlled patterning and the deactivation of bacteria are also possible on these surfaces.

Treatment of retinal diseases currently demands frequent intravitreal injections due to rapid clearance of the therapeutics. The use of high molecular weight polymers can extend the residence time in the vitreous and prolong the injection intervals. This study reports a water soluble graft copolymer as a potential vehicle for sustained intravitreal drug delivery. The copolymer features a high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) backbone and poly(glyceryl glycerol) (PGG) side chains attached via hydrolysable ester linkers. PGG, a polyether with 1,2‐diol groups in every repeating unit available for conjugation, serves as a detachable carrier. The influence of synthesis conditions and incubation in physiological media on the molecular weight of HA is studied. The cleavage of the PGG grafts from the HA backbone is quantified and polymer‐from‐polymer release kinetics are determined. The biocompatibility of the materials is tested in different cell cultures.