Towards smart polymeric drug carriers: self-assembling γ-substituted polycaprolactones with highly tunable thermoresponsive behavior

Synthesis and ring opening polymerization of a new γ-substituted ε-caprolactone monomer, γ-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ε-caprolactone is reported. Amphiphilic diblock copolymers comprised of poly[γ-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ε-caprolactone] and thermosensitive poly{γ-2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy-ε-caprolactone}...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials chemistry. B, Materials for biology and medicine Materials for biology and medicine, 2013-12, Vol.1 (47), p.6532-6537
Main Authors: Rainbolt, Elizabeth A, Washington, Katherine E, Biewer, Michael C, Stefan, Mihaela C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodegradability
Biology
Copolymers
Drug delivery systems
Monomers
Polycaprolactone
Synthesis
Thermosensitive
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Summary:Synthesis and ring opening polymerization of a new γ-substituted ε-caprolactone monomer, γ-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ε-caprolactone is reported. Amphiphilic diblock copolymers comprised of poly[γ-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ε-caprolactone] and thermosensitive poly{γ-2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy-ε-caprolactone} as the hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks, respectively, were prepared. The copolymers exhibited fully biodegradable backbones and highly tunable thermoresponsive behavior in the range of 31-43 °C. Additionally, the copolymers were shown to self-assemble in aqueous media above their respective critical micelle concentrations, on the order of 10 g L . Due to their thermosensitive, self-assembling, and biodegradable properties, these copolymers demonstrate potential for the use in polymeric micellar drug delivery systems.
ISSN:2050-750X
2050-7518
DOI:10.1039/c3tb21488e