Target grafting of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) to biodegradable block copolymers

A series of copolymers composed of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) and a hydrophobic block of poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-propargyl carbonate) grafted with poly(2-[dimethylamino]ethyl methacrylate) was synthesized by combining ring opening polymerization, azide-alkyne click reaction, and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Well-defined copolymers with a target composition and a tailored structure were achieved via the grafting from approach by using a single catalytic system for both click reaction and ATRP. Kinetic studies demonstrated the controlled/living character of the employed polymerization methods. The thermal properties and self-assembly in aqueous medium of the graft copolymers were dependent on their composition. The resulting polymeric materials showed low cytotoxicity toward L929 cells, demonstrating their potential for biomedical applications. This type of materials containing cationic side chains tethered to biocompatible and biodegradable segments could be the basis for promising candidates as drug and gene delivery systems.     

Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic star copolymers of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate: Effects of architecture and composition

Six amphiphilic star copolymers comprising hydrophilic units of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and hydrophobic units of methyl methacrylate (MMA) were prepared by the sequential group transfer polymerization (GTP) of the two comonomers and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) cross-linker. Four star-block copolymers of different compositions, one miktoarm star, and one statistical copolymer star were synthesized. The molecular weights (MWs) and MW distributions of all the star copolymers and their linear homopolymer and copolymer precursors were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), while the compositions of the stars were determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) solutions of all the star copolymers were characterized by static light scattering to determine the absolute weight-average MW () and the number of arms of the stars. The of the stars ranged between 359,000 and 565,000 g mol⁻¹, while their number of arms ranged between 39 and 120. The star copolymers were soluble in acidic water at pH 4 giving transparent or slightly opaque solutions, with the exception of the very hydrophobic DMAEMA₁₀-b-MMA₃₀-star, which gave a very opaque solution. Only the random copolymer star was completely dispersed in neutral water, giving a very opaque solution. The effective pKs of the copolymer stars were determined by hydrogen ion titration and were found to be in the range 6.5-7.6. The pHs of precipitation of the star copolymer solutions/dispersions were found to be between 8.8-10.1, except for the most hydrophobic DMAEMA_10-b-MMA₃₀-star, which gave a very opaque solution over the whole pH range.     

甲基丙烯酸2-N,N-二甲氨基乙酯与甲基丙烯酸甲酯的氧化共聚合的机理研究

研究了CuCl/五甲基二亚乙基三胺(PMDETA)催化的甲基丙烯酸2-N,N-二甲氨基乙酯(DMAEMA)与甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)在氧气存在下的氧化共聚合,通过改变单体配比、催化剂浓度和反应温度对实验条件进行研究.结果显示,在本实验中的单体配比([DMAEMA]∶[MMA]=10∶0～5∶5)、催化剂浓度([CuCl/PMDETA3]=3.1×10-5 mol/L～6×10-3 mol/L)和反应温度(30～80℃)下,聚合均可以顺利发生,而且聚合过程中单体转化率和所得聚合物的分子量都随着反应进行而增加,且分子量呈现宽分布.1H-NMR结果显示所得聚合物中含有DMAEMA和MMA的单体单元.DSC结果显示所得聚合物是一个部分相容体系.利用此方法所得的PDMAEMA进行MMA的原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)扩链过程则证实,所得聚合物具有C—Cl末端官能团.由此可以认为,在以上过程中,O2先将CuCl氧化成[Cu(Ⅱ)Cl]+,[Cu(Ⅱ)Cl]+再将二甲胺基氧化成N—CH2.自由基,N—CH2.自由基与[Cu(Ⅱ)Cl]+构成反向ATRP体系,从而得到以C—Cl为末端的聚合物.     

A novel route to poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and its amphiphilic block copolymers

The vinyl of the ester group of 2-vinyloxyethyl methacrylate was first selectively reacted with acetic acid to obtain 2-[1-(acetoxy)ethoxy]ethyl methacrylate ( 2 ). This protected monomer was subjected to anionic polymerization in tetrahydrofuran at −60°C in the presence of LiCl, using 1,1-diphenylhexyllithium as initiator. The molecular weight of the polymer could thus be controlled and a narrow molecular weight distribution obtained. The protecting group, 1-(acetoxy)ethyl, could be easily eliminated (by quenching the polymerization reaction with methanol and water) to generate poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA)). Block copolymers were also prepared by the sequential anionic polymerization of MMA and 2 or styrene and 2 . They possess narrow molecular weight distributions, and controlled molecular weights and compositions. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1865–1872, 1998     

Solution properties of well-defined 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate-based (co)polymers: A viscometric approach

Well-defined poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-based (co)polymers with various molar masses were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using CuBr ligated with 1,1,4,7,10,10-hexamethyltriethylenetetramine (HMTETA) as catalyst, and ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) or α-methyl, ω-(2-bromoisobutyrate) poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG_x-BiB) as (macro)initiator. The solution properties of these (co)polymers were investigated by viscometry either in pure water or in concentrated buffer solutions. It comes out that reduced viscosity in pure water is strongly affected by the molar mass of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) block but also by the quaternization degree of tertiary amino groups. In fact, a polyelectrolyte effect can only be detected when the charge density per macromolecule reaches a critical value either in terms of molar mass or quaternization degree. Fitting of viscometry data according to either Huggins or Fuoss and Fedors equation also allows calculating the intrinsic viscosity and approaching the overlap concentration.     

Synthesis and characterizations of well-defined dendrimer-like copolymers with the second and third generation based on polystyrene and poly(l-lactide)

Dendrimer-like copolymers with two and three generations, (polystyrene)₃-b-(poly(l-lactide))₆ (PSt₃-b-PLLA₆) and PSt₃-b-PLLA₆-b-PSt₁₂ have been successfully prepared using core-first method. The first step of this synthesis is the preparation of three-armed PSt by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of St using 1,1,1-tri(methylene-α-bromoisobutyryl)propane as initiator. Terminal divergence of the polymers obtained was achieved by the reaction of terminal bromines with branching agent, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol. After deprotection, the polymer with six terminal hydroxyl groups was used in the ring-opening polymerization of LLA. The dendrimer-like copolymer with PLLA as a second generation diverged continuously by the reaction of 6 terminal hydroxyl groups with branching agent, 2,2-bis(methylene-α-bromoisobutyryl)propionyl chloride. The resultant polymer with 12 terminal bromines was used as macroinitiator in the ATRP of St to produce the target dendrimer-like copolymer, PSt₃-b-PLLA₆-b-PSt₁₂. The structures of polymers obtained from each step were confirmed by their ¹H NMR spectra and GPC measurements. DSC results show one for the three-armed PSt, , and for the dendrimer-like copolymer with two generations, C(PSt(PLLA)₂)₃, and , and for the copolymer with three generations, C(PSt(PLLA(PSt)₂)₂)₃.     

Direct synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers, consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) blocks through atom transfer radical polymerization

Amphiphilic block copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and sodium styrene sulfonate (SSNa) were successfully synthesized via direct atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of SSNa. First, poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (PSSNa) or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) macroinitiators were prepared using proper ATRP systems for each case. In some cases, functional initiators, which allow further reactions, were used. The macroinitiators were characterized and further used to synthesize PSSNa/PMMA block copolymers, by using proper solvent combinations, such as N,N-dimethylformamide/water or methanol/water at appropriate volume ratios, in order to ensure solubility of the synthesized amphiphilic copolymers. The molecular weight of the copolymers was determined by gel permeation chromatography, using water as eluent. By using a combination of analytical techniques like ¹H NMR, FTIR and thermogravimetry, the chemical structure and the actual copolymer composition were determined. Since, the block copolymers were soluble in water, forming hydrophilic/hydrophobic domains in aqueous solution, their micellization behavior was further studied by pyrene fluorescence probing.     

Thermosensitive behavior of poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) double hydrophilic block copolymers

The poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PEG/PDMAEMA) double hydrophilic block copolymers were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization using mPEG‐Br or Br‐PEG‐Br as macroinitiators. The narrow molecular weight distribution of PEG/PDMAEMA block copolymers was identified by gel permeation chromatography results. The thermosensitivity of PEG/PDMAEMA block copolymers in aqueous solution was revealed to depend significantly on pH, ionic strength, chain structure, and concentration of the block copolymers. By optimizing these factors, the cloud point temperature of PEG/PDMAEMA block copolymers can be limited within body temperature range (30–37 °C), which suggests that PEG/PDMAEMA block copolymers could be a good candidate for drug delivery systems. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 503–508, 2010     

Synthesis of poly(di[methylamine]ethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(di[methylamine]ethyl methacrylate) amphiphilic triblock copolymers by ATRP: Condensed‐phase and solution properties

The synthesis of amphiphilic triblock copolymers, poly(di[methylamine]ethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(di[methylamine]ethyl methacrylate) PDMAE‐b‐PCH‐b‐PDMAE, has been performed by atom transfer radical polymerisation. Those have been obtained in a well‐controlled manner in terms of molecular weight and polydispersity index. The triblock copolymer characterisation has been made in condensed state and in solution. The existence of microphase separation has been confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry. However, the domains of both inner and outer blocks seem not to be ordered for one another from small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) measurements using synchrotron radiation. The micelle formation in dilute methanol solutions has been confirmed for all triblock copolymers by dynamic light scattering analyses. The size of these micelles has been demonstrated to be dependent on the molecular weight. Similar observations have been made in concentrate methanol solutions by using SAXS experiments, pointed also out that an increment of the intermicelle interactions is produced as the concentration increases. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 85–92, 2008     

Syntheses and micellar properties of well‐defined amphiphilic AB2 and A2B Y‐shaped miktoarm star copolymers of ε‐caprolactone and 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate

Well‐defined amphiphilic PCL‐b‐(PDMA)₂ and (PCL)₂‐b‐PDMA Y‐shaped miktoarm star copolymers and PCL‐b‐PDMA linear diblock copolymer were synthesized via a combination of ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), where PCL is poly (ε‐caprolactone) and PDMA is poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate). All of these three types of copolymers have comparable PCL contents and overall molecular weights. The PCL block is hydrophobic while the PDMA block is hydrophilic, and they behave like polymeric surfactants and self‐assemble into PCL‐core micelles in aqueous media. The chain architectural effects on the micellization properties, including the aggregation number, size, polydispersity, and micelle densities of (PCL₂₉)₂‐b‐PDMA₄₅, PCL₆₁‐b‐(PDMA₂₄)₂, and PCL₅₆‐b‐PDMA₄₉ in dilute aqueous solution, were then explored by dynamic and static laser light scattering (LLS). The intensity–average hydrodynamic radius, 〈R_h〉, the aggregation number per micelle, N_agg, and the core radius, R_core, of the PCL‐core micelles all increased in the order PCL₆₁‐b‐(PDMA₂₄)₂ < (PCL₂₉)₂‐b‐PDMA₄₅ < PCL₅₆‐b‐PDMA₄₉. The surface area occupied per soluble PDMA block at the core/corona interface increased in the order PCL₆₁‐b‐(PDMA₂₄)₂ < PCL₅₆‐b‐PDMA₄₉ < (PCL₂₉)₂‐b‐PDMA₄₅. PCL₆₁‐b‐(PDMA₂₄)₂ micelles had the largest overall micelle density, possibly because of that the presence of two soluble PDMA arms at the junction point favors the bending of the core–corona interface and thus the formation of densely‐packed core‐shell nanostructures. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1446–1462, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of particles consisting of a biodegradable poly(l-lactide) core and a functional hydrophilic shell

Block copolymers consisting of poly(solketal acrylate) and poly(l-lactide) were synthesized by combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ring opening polymerization (ROP) technique. Block copolymerization has been done by two different pathways, simultaneously and sequentially by using a dual functional initiator. Well defined block copolymers were obtained by sequential block copolymerization first implementing ROP of l-lactide followed by ATRP of solketal acrylate. After hydrolysis of the solketal acrylate segments hydrophilic poly(2,3-dihydroxypropyl acrylate) blocks were obtained. The amphiphilic block copolymers were able to self-organize in aqueous solution. Aggregation behavior was studied by means of dynamic and static light scattering. Time dependent enzymatic and hydrolytic degradation of the poly(l-lactide) cores was detected by dynamic light scattering. If enzymatic solutions were used the degradation process proceeded faster and was completed within 4000 min.     

Temperature- and pH-responsive behaviour of poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate-co-N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) hydrogels

Hydrogels with pH/temperature responsiveness and high water uptake have been synthesized by the free radical polymerization of 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate (MEO₂MA) with N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) in a low proportion. The amphiphilic character of the biocompatible MEO₂MA provides thermo-sensitivity at low temperature. On the other hand, DMAEMA units incorporate ionisable amino groups and hydrophobic moieties, leading by themselves to a dual pH and thermo-sensitive system. Therefore, the combination of both monomers yields an interesting system with tuneable pH/temperature responsiveness and swelling capacity, which depends on composition and ionic strength. Thus, the volume transition temperature (VTT) is suppressed at low pH due to the basic character of DMAEMA. However, at basic pH, where amino groups are not charged, lower swelling capacities and narrow thermal volume transitions were obtained. At neutral pH, higher modulation of both the swelling achieved and VTT was observed.     

Controlled/living polymerization of 2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and its block copolymer with tert‐butyl methacrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization

Polymerization of 2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) via homogeneous atom transfer radical polymerization under various reaction conditions is described. The effects of the initiators and solvents were examined. With 1,1,4,7,10,10‐hexamethyl triethylenetetramine/copper(I) chloride/p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride as the ligand/catalyst/initiator system in methanol, poly(DEAEMA) with a polydispersity index as low as 1.07 was synthesized. Kinetic studies demonstrated the polymerization was very well controlled and exhibited the living characteristic of the process. Well‐defined block copolymers of DEAEMA and tert‐butyl methacrylate (tBMA) were successfully synthesized. The copolymers could be synthesized with equally good results by starting with either p(DEAEMA) or p(tBMA) as the macroinitiators. However, only the macroinitiators terminated with chlorine should be used. The corresponding macroinitiators with bromine as a transferable group did not yield well‐defined copolymers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2688–2695, 2003     

The synthesis and self‐assembly of ABA amphiphilic block copolymers containing styrene and oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate in dilute aqueous solutions: Elevated cloud point temperatures for thermoresponsive micelles

A series of ABA amphiphilic triblock copolymers possessing polystyrene (PS) central hydrophobic blocks, one group with “short” PS blocks (DP = 54–86) and one with “long” PS blocks (DP = 183–204) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The outer hydrophilic blocks were various lengths of poly(oligoethylene glycol methyl ether) methacrylate, a comb‐like polymer. The critical aggregation concentrations were recorded for certain block copolymer samples and were found to be in the range circa 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ for short PS blocks and circa 10⁻¹² mol L⁻¹ for long PS blocks. Dilute aqueous solutions were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and demonstrated that the short PS block copolymers formed spherical micelles and the long PS block copolymers formed predominantly spherical micelles with smaller proportions of cylindrical and Y‐branched cylindrical micelles. Dynamic light scattering analysis results agreed with the TEM observations demonstrating variations in micelle size with PS and POEGMA chain length: the hydrodynamic diameters (D_H) of the shorter PS block copolymer micelles increased with increasing POEGMA block lengths while maintaining similar PS micellar core diameters (D_C); in contrast the values of D_H and D_C for the longer PS block copolymer micelles decreased. Surface‐pressure isotherms were recorded for two of the samples and these indicated close packing of a short PS block copolymer at the air–water interface. The aggregate solutions were demonstrated to be stable over a 38‐day period with no change in aggregate size or noticeable precipitation. The cloud point temperatures of certain block copolymer aggregate solutions were measured and found to be in the range 76–93 °C; significantly these were ∼11 °C higher in temperature than those of POEGMA homopolymer samples with similar chain lengths. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7739–7756, 2008     

Interactions between Ni ions and tetrapeptides containing (Asp/Lys)HisGly(l/d)His sequence

A series of linear tetrapeptides containing two histidyl residues in positions 2 and 4 with different chirality: DHGH, DHG(d-His), KHGH, KHG(d-His), Ac-DHGH-NH₂, Ac-DHG(d-His)-NH₂, Ac-KHGH-NH₂, and Ac-KHG(d-His)-NH₂ were synthesized, characterized and their binding properties towards Ni²⁺ were investigated. To establish the stoichiometry and the stability of the resulting Ni²⁺ complexes, potentiometric titrations were carried out. The coordination mode of the complexes formed was investigated by performing extensive spectroscopic analyses (UV–Vis, CD) in strict correlation with the potentiometric results. The effects of the nature of the first amino acid (Lys versus Asp) and of the N-terminal amino group acetylation were determined. A careful comparison of the Ni²⁺ coordination abilities of the linear peptides provides a specific insight into the impact of the chirality of the C-terminal histidine residue (His⁴) on the metal binding properties.     

l-Proline-catalyzed three-component domino reactions for the synthesis of highly functionalized pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines

A series of novel N,3-dimethyl-5-nitro-1-aryl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-6-amines was obtained in good yields from the domino reactions of N-methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-nitroprop-1-en-1-amine, aromatic aldehydes, and 3-methyl-1-aryl-1H-pyrazol-5-amines in ethanol in the presence of green catalyst, l-proline. This transformation involves the formation of two C–C and one C–N bonds leading to the creation of a six-membered ring in a one-pot operation.     

A novel method for synthesis of arylacetic acids from aldehydes, N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-pivaloylated-d-glucopyranosyl)amine and trimethylsilylcyanide

A novel synthetic approach for the preparation of arylacetic acids via the reaction of aldehydes, N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-pivaloylated-d-glucopyranosyl)amine and trimethylsilylcyanide was developed, in which the N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-pivaloylated-d-glucopyranosyl)amine can be recycled conveniently and reused efficiently.     

Synthesis of 1-(2′-O-methyl-β-d-ribofuranosyl)-5-nitroindole and its phosphoramidite derivative

The synthesis of 1-(2′-O-methyl-β-d-ribofuranosyl)-5-nitroindole, a new nucleoside containing the universal base 5-nitroindole, and its phosphoramidite derivative for incorporation into oligonucleotides is described.     

Stereoselective syntheses of (+)-proto, (−)-gala quercitols and carba-l-rhamnose from d-(−)-quinic acid

Efficient syntheses of (+)-proto, (−)-gala quercitols and carba-l-rhamnose from d-(−)-quinic acid are described.     

Synthesis of (S)-2-amino-7-methoxytetralin and isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolinone derivatives from l-aspartic acid

This paper describes a new total synthesis for (S)-2-amino-7-methoxytetralin, (S)-7-MeO-AT, from l-aspartic acid in an overall yield of 10% over nine steps. The major loss was ascribed to a key intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization step, which afforded up to 36% yield. Attempts to perform a Friedel–Crafts cyclization of an intermediate phthalimide protected amino alcohol 13 did not give the desired protected (S)-7-MeO-AT. On the other hand, two new isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolinone derivatives 14 and 15, were isolated in 21 and 11% yield, respectively. The yield of 15 was improved to 70%.