Poly(ester anhydride)s prepared by the insertion of ricinoleic acid into poly(sebacic acid)

New degradable poly(ester anhydride)s were prepared by the melt polycondensation of diacid oligomers of poly(sebacic acid) (PSA) transesterified with ricinoleic acid. The transesterification of PSA with ricinoleic acid to form oligomers was conducted via a melt bulk reaction between a high molecular weight PSA and ricinoleic acid. A systematic study on the synthesis, characterization, degradation in vitro, drug release, and stability of these polymers was performed. Polymers with weight‐average molecular weights of 2000–60,000 and melting temperatures of 24–77 °C were obtained for PSA containing 20–90% (w/w) ricinoleic acid. NMR and IR analyses indicated the formation of ester bonds along the polyanhydride backbone. These new degradable copolymers have potential use as drug carriers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1059–1069, 2003     

Capillary zone electrophoretic analysis of positively charged poly(ethylene oxide) macromolecules using non-covalent polycation-coated fused-silica capillary and indirect UV detection

Capillary zone electrophoresis was used to show the coupling between NH2-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) and oligomers of lactic acid activated by transforming carboxyl chain ends to acyl chloride ones. The demonstration was based on the use of fused-silica capillary physically modified by pre-adsorption of polycations in the reversed polarity mode. As poly(ethylene oxide) macromolecules are UV transparent, indirect UV detection was used. A creatinine solution at pH 4.8 was selected as background electrolyte. Commercially available polycations with different structures were tested. It was shown that the reversed electroosmosis could be modulated according to the structure of the polycation. The method was then applied to analyse a commercial alpha,omega-diamino poly(ethylene oxide), namely Jeffamine ED 600 characterised by a broad mass dispersion. Data showed that the method can detect and separate amino poly(ethylene oxide) of different structures. When applied to analyse post coupling products, no free NH2-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) segments were detected. Moreover, the method allowed detection of water-soluble oligomers generated by partial degradation of lactic segments during the reaction.     

Some aspects of the synthesis and characterization of special polymers and oligomers by olefin metathesis

Homopolymers of 2-norbornene and 2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2,5-norbornadiene and copolymers of these bicyclic olefins with 1,5-cyclooctadiene and cyclopentene were prepared via ring opening metathesis polymerization. The molecular weight distributions of the polymers were estimated by gel permeation chromatography.The polymers were degraded in a cross metathesis reaction with E-4-octene; only poly[2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2,5-norbornadiene] was not degradable.All reactions were carried out with WCl₆/(CH₃)₄Sn as the catalyst system. The low molecular cyclic oligomers in the polymerization mixtures and the degradation products were analyzed by gas chromatography and identified using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry coupling.The degradation experiments show reactivity differences for the double bonds situated in the polymer backbone. On the basis of these differences and the fact that this is the first time that a metathesis degradation of such polymers has been reported, the consequences on the ring opening metathesis copolymerization of cycloolefins are discussed in general terms, leading to some new aspects in the planning of the synthesis of special copolymers and oligomers.With reference to a lecture presented at the 4th International Symposium on Olefin Metathesis (ISOM 4), Belfast, 1–4 Sept. 1981.     

Plastics of the Future? The Impact of Biodegradable Polymers on the Environment and on Society

In recent years the littering of plastics and the problems related to their persistence in the environment have become a major focus in both research and the news. Biodegradable polymers like poly(lactic acid) are seen as a suitable alternative to commodity plastics. However, poly(lactic acid) is basically non‐degradable in seawater. Similarly, the degradation rate of other biodegradable polymers also crucially depends on the environments they end up in, such as soil or marine water, or when used in biomedical devices. In this Minireview, we show that biodegradation tests carried out in artificial environments lack transferability to real conditions and, therefore, highlight the necessity of environmentally authentic and relevant field‐testing conditions. In addition, we focus on ecotoxicological implications of biodegradable polymers. We also consider the social aspects and ask how biodegradable polymers influence consumer behavior and municipal waste management. Taken together, this study is intended as a contribution towards evaluating the potential of biodegradable polymers as alternative materials to commodity plastics.     

Novel poly(lactic acid)–poly(ethylene oxide) chain‐linked copolymer and its application in nano‐encapsulation

The work presented here investigates the synthesis of poly(lactic acid)–poly(ethylene oxide) diisocyanate chain‐linked copolymer, and its application in the nano‐encapsulation of bioactive compounds. Study was conducted on the effect of the type of chain‐linking agent, along with molecular weight, thermal properties and hydrophilic/hydrophobic behavior, through the methods of gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–attenuated total reflectance, differential scanning calorimetry, light scattering, water uptake experimentation, and water contact angle measurements. Nanoparticle formation was performed via a single solvent evaporation process, and the particles obtained were characterized by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Results show the significantly enhanced molecular weight of the final product after the chain‐linking reaction (up to 300,000 g/mol), as well as the non‐linear nature of the sample due to broad polydispersity, ranging from 4–13. The final products exhibited glass transition temperatures of between 30 and 44 °C, while their crystalline quality was either significantly suppressed or a completely amorphous attribute was observed. Nanoparticles in the range of 300 nm that contained metazachlor were successfully prepared, and their releasing behavior exhibited first order release kinetics. A slower rate of release was observed in samples containing 4,4′‐methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) as a chain‐linker. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lactic acid-based functionalized polymers via copolymerization and chemical modification

Poly(lactic acid) polymers (PLA) are presently the most attractive compounds in the field of artificial degradable and biodegradable polymers. In order to enlarge the family, and thus the range of accessible properties, stereocopolymers and copolymers with various co-monomers have been synthesized. However, very few are functionalized, i.e. include functional groups attached to the main chains or as part of the side chains. In the search for degradable PLA-type polymers bearing functional groups to serve as intermediates for further chemical modifications, we are exploring two different routes. The first one is copolymerization with a protected hydroxyl-bearing lactide-type monomer, namely 3-(1,2,3,4-tetraoxobutyldiisopropylidene)dioxane-2,5-dione. The second route consists of the formation of a carbanionic site in the alpha-position to intrachain carbonyl functions by using lithium N,N-diisopropylamide followed by the coupling of electrophiles. Recent advances in this search are presented using several examples. In particular, it is shown that OH-functionalized PLA-type macromolecules can be made fluorescent by chemical coupling. It is also shown that substituents can be attached to PLA-type macromolecules in solution or to the surface of PLA-based devices selectively.     

Properties and Polymerization of Biodegradable Thermoplastic Poly(Ester-urethane)

Abstract

Aliphatic polyesters, such as poly(lactic acids), need high molecular weight for acceptable mechanical properties. This can be achieved through ring-opening polymerization of lactides. The lactide route is, however, relatively complicated, and alternative polymerization routes are of interest. In this paper we report the properties of a polymer made by a two-step process: first a condensation polymerization of lactic acid and then an increase of the molecular weight with diisocyanate. The end product is then a thermoplastic poly(ester-urethane). The hydroxylterminated prepolymer was made with condensation polymerization of L–lactic acid and a small amount of 1,4-butanediol. The polymerization was performed in the melt under nitrogen and reduced pressure. The preparation of poly(ester-urethane) was done in the melt using aliphatic diisocyanates as the chain extenders reacting with the end groups of the prepolymer. The polymer samples were carefully characterized, including preliminary degradation studies. The results indicate that this route to convert lactic acid into thermoplastic biodegradable polymer has high potential. Lactic acid is converted into a mechanically attractive polymer with high yield, which could make the polymer suitable for high volume applications. The mechanical properties of the poly(ester-urethane) are comparable with those of poly(lactides). Capillary rheometer measurements indicate that the polymer is processible both by injection molding and extrusion.     

Synthesis, polymerisation and degradation of poly(lactide-co-propylene glycol) dimethacrylate adhesives

Fluid ABA triblock poly(lactide-co-propylene glycol-co-lactide)s with 7, 17 or 34 propylene glycol and 2, 4, or 8 lactic acid units in each B and A block, respectively, end capped with methacrylate groups were prepared and polymerisation rates upon blue light exposure for 60, 120 or 240 s using 0.5, 1 or 2 wt.% initiators determined. The shortest monomer formulation, with 0.5 wt.% initiators, was most promising as an injectable degradable adhesive for biomedical applications, achieving 96% polymerisation by 120 s after the start of 60 s illumination, forming then a semi-rigid polymer that in water released linearly with time poly(methacrylic-co-lactic) acid degradation products. Over 14 weeks, 2 mm thick specimens largely maintained their dimensions as water sorption balanced the 19 wt.% material loss. Raising initiator concentration or monomer length reduced polymerisation rate on the lower surface of samples. Increasing the number of lactic acid units in each A block from 2 to 8 also enhanced photocrosslinked polymer water sorption and increased average total mass loss to 60 wt.% over 14 weeks but acid product release rate decreased with time. Monomers produced with longer polypropylene glycol B blocks required longer periods of light exposure for full cure and the final polymers exhibited slower non-linear hydrolytic degradation.     

Ionic polymerization of 1,2-butylene oxide: GPC,NMR, and IR characterization of the reaction products

The triphenylmethyl hexafluoroarsenate-initiated cationic polymerization of 1,2-butylene oxide in dichloroethane between ?25 and +25°C and its sodium-initiated anionic polymerization in bulk at 20°C have been carried out. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) molecular weight distribution curves of the reaction products are multinodal. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) analyses show that the cationically prepared polymers are composed of cyclic oligomers and linear high-molecular-weight products, while the anionically prepared polymers contain only linear products some of which include double bonds. NMR analyses further reveal that the cationically prepared polymers consist of monomer repeat units, while the anionically prepared polymers are essentially made of side products originating from the reaction of 1,2-butylene oxide with the sodium mirror used as the anionic initiator.     

New phytoactive polymers prepared by polycondensation

Some new poly(ether-ester)s (PEEs) and poly(ether-amide)s (PEAs) with polyether sequences linked by tartrate units have been synthesized. Derivatives bearing residues from the synthetic plant-growth regulator 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) as pendent groups and end-groups have been prepared by esterification of PEEs and PEAs with NAA. Polymers bearing residues from pyridine-2, 6-dicarboxylic acid (a herbicide) in the main chain have been prepared. The hydrolysis has been found to depend on the structure of the polymer carrier, on pH of the medium and on the ability of the polymers to form complexes with polyacids. The phytosanitary activity of the new polymers has been related to the particular features of their hydrolysis behaviour.     

Influence of ozone treatment on structure and thermal properties of bis-2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate-based copolymers

Polyesters are a particularly interesting group of polymers because of their ester bonds in the main chain, which are sensitive to degradation. It has been shown that aromatic polyesters [eg. poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)] can be degraded when they are copolymerized with aliphatic polyesters. In this regard, the objective of our previous study was to obtain and investigate new copolymers with some fragments of PET and its hydrolytic degradation. In this work, the impact of ozone degradation on properties of bis-2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate-based copolymers was researched. Apart from the bis-2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate, the copolymers comprised oligomers of lactic acid and glycolic acid in different combination. During ozone degradation, samples were kept for 24 h in atmosphere containing 0.51 vol.% of ozone. Structure changes were determined by means of FTIR spectroscopy. In the IR spectra of ozonised samples, new bonds characteristic for ozonised polymers were observed. Thermal properties of copolymers before and after degradation process were reviewed based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry. DSC results revealed that melting point increased, especially for copolymers displaying higher quantity of PET units.     

Thermal degradation of linear polyurethanes and model biscarbamates

Thermal degradation of model biscarbamates, polyurethanes and poly(urethane-ureas) has been investigated by pyrolysis at atmospheric pressure. The biscarbamates were prepared from phenyl, benzyl, and cyclohexyl isocyanate and ethylene glycol. The polyurethanes and poly(urethane-ureas) were prepared from tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), and 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H₁₂-MDI) and poly(oxyethylene glycols) of various molecular weights. Rate constants for thermal degradation were obtained by measuring carbon dioxide evolution. The thermal degradation of all materials showed that the stability increased in the following manner: aromatic < aralkyl < cycloaliphatic. The separation and identification of the products of the thermal degradation gave an insight into the mechanisms involved in the pyrolysis of aromatic, aralkyl, and cycloaliphatic biscarbamates and the influence of temperature on these mechanisms.     

聚苯乙烯基偶氮聚合物的合成研究

改进了聚苯乙烯的硝化、还原、重氮化和偶合反应路线 (NRDC) ,使每步反应都得到很高的产率 ,并利用大分子重氮盐 (MDS)分别与苯胺、N 烃基苯胺和酚等三类化合物偶合 ,得到相应的聚苯乙烯基偶氮聚合物 .核磁共振分析结果证明了产物的高偶联率 .通过对大分子重氮盐热稳定性的研究 ,发现偶合反应之后需要一步加热反应以消除残余重氮基团 .还研究了这些聚合物的紫外 可见吸收光谱性质 ,氨 (胺 )基偶氮产物的水溶液表现出了明显的pH敏感性     

Water‐soluble,biocompatible polyphosphazenes with controllable and pH‐promoted degradation behavior

The synthesis of a series of novel, water‐soluble poly(organophosphazenes) prepared via living cationic polymerization is presented. The degradation profiles of the polyphosphazenes prepared are analyzed by GPC, ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopy in aqueous media and show tunable degradation rates ranging from days to months, adjusted by subtle changes to the chemical structure of the polyphosphazene. Furthermore, it is observed that these polymers demonstrate a pH‐promoted hydrolytic degradation behavior, with a remarkably faster rate of degradation at lower pH values. These degradable, water soluble polymers with controlled molecular weights and structures could be of significant interest for use in aqueous biomedical applications, such as polymer therapeutics, in which biological clearance is a requirement and in this context cell viability tests are described which show the non‐toxic nature of the polymers as well as their degradation intermediates and products. © 2013 The Authors Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 287–294     

Macromolecular Architecture-Nature as a Model for Degradable Polymers

Abstract

Nature usually combines polymers with short degradation times with polymers having long degradation times in an energy and material optimized process involving hierarchical systems. Sometimes a natural system of polymers has evolved to degrade in a month, sometimes in many years. The building blocks of the plant and animal kingdom are biopolymers which are either oxidizable or hydrolyzable. In natural composites, combinations of the two are common, e.g., in wood. Current trends in polymer research and marketing of plastics indicate an increasing demand for the development of a diversity of degradable polymer products with a predetermined service-life. We identify four main routes to design degradable polymers. The goal is to tailor-make a material which is more susceptible to environmental degradation factors (e.g., hydrolysis, biodegradation, photooxidation). The most convenient route is to use cheap synthetic bulk polymers and add a biodegradable or photooxidizable component. A more expensive solution is to change the chemical structure by introducing hydrolyzable or oxidizable groups in the repetitive chain of a synthetic polymer. The third route to degradable polymers is to use biopolymers or derivatives of these where the bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates are perhaps the most studied material of them all. The fourth route is to tailor-make new hydrolyzable structures e.g., polyesters, polyanhydrides, and polycarbonates.     

Sulfone/ester polymers containing pendent ethynyl groups

Sulfone/ester polymers containing pendent ethynyl groups were prepared by multistep and direct routes. Hydroxy-terminated sulfone oligomers(M _n = 2650 and 8890 g/mol) were reacted with diacid chlorides to yield high-molecular-weight polymers. In the multistep route, a pendent bromo group on the polymer was converted to an ethynyl group. In the direct route, the hydroxy-terminated sulfone oligomers were reacted with a stoichiometric amount of 5-(4-ethynylphenoxy)isophthaloyl chloride to yield high polymers. The pendent ethynyl groups on the sulfone/ester polymers were reacted in the 200 to 300°C range to provide branching and crosslinking. The resultant polymers exhibited higher T_gs and better resistance to chloroform than comparable polymers void of ethynyl groups. Films of the cured polymers displayed good mechanical properties. The synthesis and characterization of the monomer, oligomers, and polymers are discussed.     

Synthesis of poly(vinyl alcohol) containing asymmetric nucleic acid base derivatives as grafted pendants

The preparations of new model polymers of polynucleotides with linear poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) backbones and an optically active nucleic acid base derivative as a pending side chain are described. (±)-, (+)-, and (?)-2-(thymin-1-yl)propionic acid were grafted onto PVA through ester bonds by direct coupling with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in the presence of highly active catalyst 4-pyrrolidinopyridine (PPY) to give optically active graft polymers. The corresponding monomer and dimer models have been prepared.     

Segmented Polyurethanes for Medical Applications: Synthesis,Characterization and in vitro Enzymatic Degradation Studies

Degradable segmented poly(ether-ester-urethanes) of variable segment chemistry and content were synthesized and characterized. Polycaprolactone diol, a series of poly(ether-ester) block copolymers, and a diisocyanate giving non toxic degradation products were used to form the prepolymer. Cyclohexane dimethanol and a L–phenylalanine–based diester (Phe diester) were used as chain extenders. The influence of α-chimotrypsin on the degradation was investigated by exposing the polymers to buffer and enzyme solutions for 12 days. The SEM, SEC, and gravimetric results showed that a significant erosion of the Phe diester containing polymer compared with the control polyurethane occurred in the presence of the enzyme but not in a normal buffer solution.     

Preparation of Information‐Containing Macromolecules by Ligation of Dyad‐Encoded Oligomers

A simplified strategy for preparing non‐natural information‐containing polymers is reported. The concept relies on the successive ligation of oligomers that contain minimal sequence motifs. It was applied here to the synthesis of digitally‐encoded poly(triazole amide)s, in which propyl and 2‐methyl propyl motifs are used to code 0 and 1, respectively. A library of four oligo(triazole amide)s containing the information dyads 00, 01, 10, and 11 was prepared. These oligomers contain two reactive functions, that is, an alkyne and a carboxylic acid. Thus, they can be linked to another with the help of a reactive spacer containing azide and amine functions. Using two successive chemoselective steps, that is, azide‐alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition and carboxylic acid‐amine coupling, monodisperse polymers can be obtained. In particular, the library of dyads permits the implementation of any desired sequence using a small number of steps. As a proof‐of‐concept, the synthesis of molecular bytes 00000000 and 00000110 is described.     

The thermal degradation of polysiloxanes—Part 4: Poly(dimethyl/diphenyl siloxane)

Poly(dimethyl/diphenyl siloxanes) have been prepared with a range of phenyl group contents both from mixtures of dimethyl and diphenyl cyclic siloxanes and from cyclic siloxanes in which both dimethyl and diphenyl structures are present. Attempts to prepare poly(diphenyl siloxane) with a reasonably high molecular weight were unsuccessful.The products of degradation of the poly(dimethyl/diphenyl siloxanes) are benzene and complex mixtures of cyclic oligomers which have been separated, identified and analysed. The characteristics of the formation of these products are discussed in relation to the degradation reactions which occur in poly(dimethyl siloxane), poly(methyphenyl siloxane) and poly(dimethyl/methylphenyl siloxane) and which have been described previously.