Synthesis and Characterization of New Malolactonate Polymers and Copolymers for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

A new class of malolactonate polymers and copolymers were synthesized, starting from the corresponding lactones, and then characterized. Different lateral groups were selected for these polyesters to achieve a wide range of materials characteristics and possible biological recognition. The monomers were prepared according to two established procedures, which gave rather good overall yields. The polymers were obtained by the anionic ring-opening polymerization of the corresponding four-member ring monomers in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt as the initiator. Final macromolecular and thermal characteristics were in agreement with the designed monomer structures. Molecular weights in the range 4-20 kDa were obtained, as a result of chain transfer reactions. The prepared polyesters displayed stability up to 200°C, and, when tested in preliminary cell culture experiments, provided indications for future applications in the biomedical field.

Recent Progress in Sustainable Polymers Obtained from Cyclic Terpenes: Synthesis, Properties, and Application Potential

“…[78] Malolactonate copolymers based on terpene alcohols have also shownp otential for biomedical applications. [79] Aoshima and co-workers utilized terpene-based aldehydes myrtenal, perillaldehyde, and cyclocitral for the synthesis of degradablea lternating copolymers through well-controlled cationic copolymerization with isobutyl vinyl ether by meanso f aE tSO 3 H/GaCl 3 initiating system with 1,4-dioxane as aL ewis base (Scheme 6). [80] Here, alternating copolymerization proceeded only through 1,2-carbonyl addition of the aldehydes.…”

Synthesis and characterizations of new isotactic homopolyesters, statistical and block copolyesters derived of poly((S)‐3,3‐dimethylmalic acid) via the lactone route

“…7,8 In addition, they can have more sophisticated groups such as menthyl, adamantyl, cholesteryl, and lactic acid oligomers. [9][10][11] This functionalized polyester can be prepared according to different routes starting from racemic or optically active malic acid 12 or aspartic acid 13 by chemical or biological synthesis routes. Optically active stereocopolymers of malic acid are accessible starting from L-or D-aspartic acid enantiomers 14 or L-or D-malic acid enantiomers 13 as chiral precursors.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Amphiphilic Block Copolymer poly(4-vinyl benzene chloride)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)

“…The former polymers were mainly prepared by chemical modiûcation of a preformed polymer, and the latter were obtained by copolymerization of the appropriate monomers.. Generally, the hydrophilic block is made of poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO), because of its availability, high solubility in water, and high biocompatibility [11][12][13][14][15] . PVBC is extensively used as hydrophobic segment in amphiphilic block copolymers, since it is highly hydrophobic and crystalline polyester, and a suitable component of micelle inner core that favours the loading of hydrophobic drugs.…”