Amino acid‐based bioanalogous polymers. Synthesis,and study of regular poly(ester amide)s based on bis(α‐amino acid) α,ω‐alkylene diesters,and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids

The purpose of this research was to synthesize new regular poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) consisting of nontoxic building blocks like hydrophobic α‐amino acids, α,ω‐diols, and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, and to examine the effects of the structure of these building block components on some physico‐chemical and biochemical properties of the polymers. PEAs were prepared by solution polycondensation of di‐p‐toluenesulfonic acid salts of bis‐(α‐amino acid) α,ω‐alkylene diesters and di‐p‐nitrophenyl esters of diacids. Optimal conditions of this reaction have been studied. High molecular weight PEAs (M_w = 24,000–167,000) with narrow polydispersity (M_w/M_n = 1.20–1.81) were prepared under the optimal reaction conditions and exhibited excellent film‐forming properties. PEAs obtained are mostly amorphous materials with T_g from 11 to 59°C. α‐Chymotrypsin catalyzed in vitro hydrolysis of these new PEA substrates was studied to assess the effect of the building blocks of these new polymers on their biodegradation properties. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 391–407, 1999     

聚酯-酰胺的水解降解行为

研究了各种条件下聚酯-酰胺的水解降解行为及其与结构之间的关系。结果表明：酯键含量越高,质量损失就越快。聚合物的降解受酸、碱催化。根据SEM观察提出了可能发生的降解机理：表面腐蚀、非晶区腐蚀、晶区破坏到全部降解。     

Synthesis and Study of Poly(ether-amide)s Containing Aromatic and Aliphatic Ether-Amine Segment and Isophthalic Acid

The paper describes some physical properties of poly(ether-amide)s (PEAs) prepared by solution polycondensation reaction of ether-amines such as 2,7-bis(4-aminophenoxy) naphthalene, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl] propane, 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy methyl) cyclohexane and isophthalic acid. Resulting PEAs are high yield and have inherent viscosity ranging between 0.68–0.75 dL/g. The etheramines containing wholly, semi aromatic and aliphatic-aromatic segments were prepared by using two steps reaction. FTIR, ¹H NMR, and elemental analyses were used for characterization of synthetic ether-amines and poly(ether-amide)s. PEAs films were prepared by solution casting technique then their thermal stability and mechanical properties were measured. TGA in nitrogen atmosphere shows that the PEAs are thermally stability, so 10% weight will be lost in the range of 335–358°C. Tensile strength and elongation at break of the PEA films ranged from 71.1–65.0 MPa and 6.48–8.41%, respectively.     

Synthesis and hydrolytic degradation of stereoregular aromatic poly(ester amide)s derived from D‐xylose

Stereoregular poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) were prepared by the polycondensation method using naturally occurring D ‐xylose and aromatic diacids as the starting materials. The polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, GPC, IR, and ¹H‐ and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Thermal and X‐ray diffraction studies revealed them to be mainly amorphous. The polymers are hydrophilic and their degradation studies were carried out at 37 and 80 °C in buffered salt solution at pH 8. The degradation study was monitored by mass loss, GPC, IR, and NMR spectroscopies. The hydrolytic degradation of these PEAs occurred rapidly by hydrolysis of the ester functions to a final compound, which maintained the amide functions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Degradable polyesters through chain linking for packaging and biomedical applications

The major route to convert lactic acid to high-molecular-weight polymers is ring-opening polymerization of lactide. We have investigated alternative synthesis routes based on oligomerization and chain linking to produce high-molecular-weight thermoplastic degradable polymers cost-effectively. Chain linking also offers new possibilities to prepare degradable polyesters for biomedical applications by extending the range of polymer properties achievable. In this paper, we briefly review different chain linking techniques used in our laboratory. Typically, lactic acid prepolymers with molecular weights of around 3,000-15,000 g x mol(-1) have been prepared by direct polycondensation. Hydroxyl terminated oligomers have been chain linked by using diisocyanate coupling agents, preferably 1,4-butane diisocyanate, forming poly(ester-urethanes). Poly(ester-amides) have been prepared by using 2,2'-bis(2-oxazoline) as coupling agent for carboxylic acid telechelic oligomers. Chain linking by end functionalization has been used in the preparation of poly(ester-anhydrides). In addition, a variety of crosslinked degradable polymers and copolymers have been synthesized through different crosslinking routes, by using methacrylic, itaconic or maleic double bonds or triethoxysilane moieties. A biodegradation test and ecotoxicological evaluation of the degradation products were carried out in addition to hydrolysis tests. Lactic acid based chain linked polymers were biodegradable and the degradation products were harmless. In hydrolysis tests, enzymatic degradation was pronounced in the chain linked poly(epsilon-caprolactone).     

Active polycondensation: from pep tide chemistry to amino acid based biodegradable polymers

New polycondensation (PC) methods of polymer synthesis using non-traditional active derivative of dicarboxylic acids are reviewed. The new PC methods are named by general name “Active Polycondensation” (APC) to tell them from traditional low-temperature PC. The most of these methods are based on well known in peptide chemistry approaches to the activation of carboxylic groups. In the present paper the syntheses of heterochain polymers of basic classes - polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyureas, and polybenzazoles by interaction of various active diesters with di- and polyfunctional nucleophiles are discussed in brief. Special attention is given to the synthesis of non-conventional heterochain macromolecular systems, in particular poly(ester amide)s (PEAs), composed of naturally occurring α-amino acids and other non-toxic building blocks like fatty diacids and diols - synthetic analogues of naturally occurring amino acid based polymers - peptides and proteins. The synthesis and properties, biodegradation, and some practical applications of PEAs are discussed in brief.     

Microspheres made of poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-based amphiphilic copolymers: potential in sustained delivery of proteins

Microspheres of amphiphilic multi-block poly(ester-ether)s (PEE)s and poly(ester-ether-amide)s (PEEA)s based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) were investigated as delivery systems for proteins. The interest was mainly focused on the effect of their molecular structure and composition on the overall properties of the microspheres, encapsulating bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein. PEEs and PEEAs were prepared using a alpha,omega-dihydroxy-terminated PCL macromer (Mn= 2.0 kDa) as a hydrophobic component. Hydrophilic oxyethylene sequences were generated using poly(ethylene oxide)s (PEO)s of different molecular mass (Mn= 300-600 Da) in the case of PEEs, or 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine (Trioxy) and PEO150 (Mn= 150 Da) in the case of PEEAs. The copolymers showed a decrease of Tm and crystallinity values as compared with PCL. Within each class of copolymers, the bulk hydrophilicity increased with increasing the number of oxyethylene groups in the chain repeat unit. PEEAs were more hydrophilic than PEEs with a similar number of oxyethylene groups. Discrete spherical particles were prepared by both PEEs and PEEAs and their BSA encapsulation efficiency related to copolymer properties. Interestingly, the insertion of short hydrophilic segments is enough to significantly affect protein distribution inside microspheres and its release profiles, as compared to PCL microspheres. Different degradation rates and mechanisms were observed for copolymer microspheres, mainly depending on the distribution of oxyethylene units along the chain. The results highlight that a fine control over the structural parameters of amphiphilic PCL-based multi-block copolymers is a key factor for their application in the field of protein delivery.     

Preparation of Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Poly(ester amide) Electrospun Membranes for Vascular Repair

With adjustable amphiphilicity and anionic/cationic charge, biodegradability and biocompatibility, amino acid-based poly(ester amide)s(PEAs) have drawn attention in the research of tissue engineered vascular grafts. In this work, L-phenylalanine-based PEAs with or without L-lysine were synthesized through polycondensation, and ultrafine fibrous grafts consisted of PEAs and poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL) in given mass ratios were further prepared via blend electrospinning. Surface characterizations by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the chemical structure, and the wettability indicated that the prepared PCL/PEAs electrospun membranes exhibited less hydrophobic than PCL. Tensile results showed that the PCL/PEAs membranes possessed suitable mechanical properties, which could meet the requirements of artificial blood vessels. Cell culture and hemolytic tests exhibited that the PCL/PEAs electrospun membranes are biocompatible. In general, the electrospun grafts of PCL/PEAs could be applied for vascular repair.     

Synthesis and characterisation of poly(ester-amide)s from aromatic bisoxazoline precursors

A series of novel aliphatic aromatic poly(ester-amide)s (PEA) have been synthesized by condensation reaction of aromatic bisoxazolines with aliphatic dicarboxylic compounds. These polymers have a number average molecular weight of 20,000-25,000. Depending of the aromatic structure of the bisoxazoline precursor, they are either amorphous or semi-crystalline. A good solubility in aprotic solvents was observed for all PEAs.     

Selective oxidation of poly(4-methylstyrene)

A range of new functional copolymers bearing aldehyde and carboxylic acid groups have been prepared by functionalization of poly(4-methylstyrene). These polymers have molecular weights from 2,000 to 16,500 and contain up to 20% aldehyde and up to 90% carboxylic acid groups. The reaction proceeds by selective catalytic oxidations with molecular oxygen or air in acetic acid/organic cosolvent mixtures in presence of cobalt acetate and sodium bromide or hydrogen bromide. The effects of reaction temperature, catalyst, co-solvents and oxygen partial pressure on the reaction are described. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

pH‐sensitive hemolysis by random copolymers of alkyl acrylates and acrylic acid

We have been designing and synthesizing synthetic polymers that mimic viral fusogenic peptides, which contain peptide residues having alkyl groups and carboxyl groups. We have synthesized two different types of such polymers, and their abilities to hemolyse red blood cells at pH 7.4 and 5.5 are compared here. The polymers are poly(2‐alkylacrylic acid)s such as poly(2‐propylacrylic acid), and random copolymers of poly(alkyl acrylate‐co‐acrylic acid) where the alkyl group is propyl or butyl. We have found that the poly(2‐alkylacrylic acid)s such as poly(2‐propylacrylic acid) are significantly more hemolytic at acidic pH than the random copolymers of equivalent propyl and carboxyl contents.     

Synthesis and characterization of functionalized water soluble cationic poly(ester amide)s

A new family of positively charged, water soluble and functional amino acid‐based poly(ester amide)s ( Arg‐AG PEA ) consisting of four building blocks (L ‐Arginine, DL ‐2‐Allylglycine, oligoethylene glycol, and aliphatic diacid) were synthesized by the solution copolycondensation. Functional pendant carbon–carbon double bonds located in the DL ‐2‐allylglycine unit were incorporated into these Arg‐AG PEAs, and the double bond contents could be adjusted by tuning the feed ratio of L ‐arginine to DL ‐2‐allylglycine monomers. Chemical structures of this new functional Arg‐AG PEA family were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The thermal property of these polymers was investigated; increasing the methylene chain in both the amino acid and diacid segments resulted in a reduction in the polymer glass‐transition temperature. All these cationic Arg‐AG PEAs had good solubility in water and polar organic solvents. The cytotoxity of Arg‐AG PEAs was evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. These preliminary MTT results indicated that Arg‐AG PEAs were nontoxic to bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3758–3766, 2010     

New biodegradable polymers from renewable sources. High molecular weight poly(ester carbonate)s from succinic acid and 1,3‐propanediol

High molecular weight poly(ester carbonate)s have been prepared by a two‐step chain‐extension reaction performed on oligomeric α,ω‐dihydroxy‐terminated poly(1,3‐propylene succinate) in turn obtained by thermal polycondensation of excess 1,3‐propanediol with succinic acid. The new polymers have a biodegradable backbone and derive from renewable sources. Therefore, they have a potential as environment‐friendly materials.     

Poly(ester-acetals) from azelaaldehydic acid-glycerol compounds

Poly(ester-acetals) have been prepared from isopropylideneglyceryl azelaaldehydate dimethyl acetal and from methyl azelaaldehydate glycerol acetal. Acid hydrolysis of isopropylideneglyceryl azelaaldehydate led to oligomeric poly(ester-acetals) with six to seven repeating units and carboxylic acid endgroups from which the sodium salt and the methyl ester could be prepared. The polymer sodium salt showed some surfactant properties. Methyl azelaaldehydate glycerol acetal, a mixture of geometric and structural isomers, was polymerized under typical polyesterification conditions. Lime was the best catalyst found. Molecular weights of 5000 to 12000 were obtained. Some of these polymers contained significant quantities of calcium as the carboxylate salt. A tough elastomer was prepared by heating a poly(ester-acetal) with p-toluenesulfonic acid and zine oxide.     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble polyimides derived from 2′,5′‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)‐p‐terphenyl dianhydride

A novel bis(ether anhydride) monomer, 2′,5′‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)‐p‐terphenyl dianhydride, was synthesized from the nitro displacement of 4‐nitrophthalonitrile by the phenoxide ion of 2′,5′‐dihydroxy‐p‐terphenyl, followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the intermediate bis(ether dinitrile) and cyclodehydration of the resulting bis(ether diacid). A series of new poly(ether imide)s bearing laterally attached p‐terphenyl groups were prepared from the bis(ether anhydride) with various aromatic diamines via a conventional two‐stage process that included ring‐opening polyaddition to form the poly(amic acid)s followed by thermal or chemical imidization to the poly(ether imide)s. The inherent viscosities of the poly(amic acid) precursors were in the range of 0.62–1.26 dL/g. Most of the poly(ether imide)s obtained from both routes were soluble in polar organic solvents, such as N,N‐dimethylacetamide. All the poly(ether imide)s could afford transparent, flexible, and strong films with high tensile strengths. The glass‐transition temperatures of these poly(ether imide)s were recorded as between 214 and 276 °C by DSC. The softening temperatures of all the poly(ether imide) films stayed in the 207–265 °C range according to thermomechanical analysis. For all the polymers significant decomposition did not occur below 500 °C in nitrogen or air atmosphere. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1008–1017, 2004     

New Unsaturated Biodegradable Poly(ester amide)s Composed of Fumaric Acid,L-leucine and α,ω-Alkylene Diols

The synthesis of α-amino acid L-leucine (Leu) based high-molecular-weight and biodegradable unsaturated poly(ester-amide)s (PEAs) was reported. Amino acid L-phenylalanine (Phe) was used to synthesize some copolymers for a comparative study. The syntheses of three types of new unsaturated PEA polymers were explored – (i) Unsaturated PEA homopolymers (UPEAs) composed of fumaric acid, aliphatic diol and one alpha-amino acid: L-Leu or L-Phe; (ii) L-Leu-based unsaturated-saturated copolymers (USPEAs) composed of aliphatic diol, fumaric and saturated fatty diacid, and (iii) L-Leu- and L-Phe-based copolymers (co-UPEAs) composed of 100% fumaric acid, aliphatic diol and combinations of both amino acids. Many of the targeted unsaturated polymers were soluble in common organic solvents and showed good film-forming property. The unsaturated PEA polymers were further chemically modified into functional derivatives and subjected to thermal and photochemical transformations (curing) that substantially expand material properties and, hence, the scopes of potential applications as absorbable surgical devices and drug carriers.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(ether imide)s based on a benzonorbornane bis(ether anhydride)

A novel bis(ether anhydride) monomer, 3,6‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)benzonorbornane dianhydride, was synthesized from the nitro displacement of 4‐nitrophthalonitrile with 3,6‐dihydroxybenzonorbornane in the presence of potassium carbonate, followed by the alkaline hydrolysis of the intermediate bis(ether dinitrile) and the cyclodehydration of the resulting bis(ether diacid). A series of poly(ether imide)s bearing pendant norbornane groups were prepared from the bis(ether anhydride) with various aromatic diamines via a conventional two‐stage process that included ring‐opening polyaddition to form the poly(amic acid)s followed by thermal imidization to the poly(ether imide)s. The inherent viscosities of the poly(amic acid) precursors were 0.81–1.81 dL/g. The poly(ether imide) with m‐phenylenediamine as a diamine showed good organosolubility. Most of the cast poly(ether imide) films have had high tensile strengths and moduli. The glass‐transition temperatures of these poly(ether imide)s, except for those from rigid p‐phenylenediamine and benzidine, were recorded between 211 and 246 °C by differential scanning calorimetry. The softening temperatures of all the poly(ether imide) films stayed within 210–330 °C according to thermomechanical analysis. No polymers showed significant decomposition before 500 °C in a nitrogen or air atmosphere. A comparative study of the properties with the corresponding poly(ether imide)s without pendant substituents was also made. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1712–1725, 2002     

Synthesis and characterization of random poly(amide-sulfonamide)s. II. Polymers from unsymmetrical diamine monomers

Novel poly(amide-sulfonamide)s have been prepared by reacting terephthalic, isophthalic, and sebacic acid and their acid chlorides with variously substituted diamines containing preformed sulfonamide linkages utilizing solution polymerization techniques. Inherent viscosities of the prepared polymers varied from 0.22 to 1.21 dL/g. Those having inherent viscosities greater than 0.4 dL/g formed clear, tough, flexible films. Glass transition temperatures ranged from 87 to 273°C. Thermogravimetric analyses of the polymers showed moderate thermal stability.     

New type of thermoplastic multiblock elastomers––poly(ester-block-amide)s––based on oligoamide 12 and oligoester prepared from dimerized fatty acid

Multiblock poly(ester-block-amide)s (PEA) elastomers comprising hard blocks of oligoamide and oligoester soft segments were prepared and their structure-property relations were analysed. The polycondensation reaction of oligoesters (prepared from 1,4-butanediol and dimerized fatty acid) with oligolaurolactam (PA12) gave copolymer series with variable blocks content (the soft segments content was varied from 24 to 60 wt.%). PEAs are the phase system composed of crystallised sequences of oligoamide (hard segment phase) as well as oligoesters (soft segment phase). Mixing between the hard and soft phases was studied by thermal and mechanical measurements (DSC, DMTA). These results have indicated on a multiphase structure of investigated materials. The relationship between the observed thermal and tensile properties and the soft/hard segments content indicated on an increase of the phase separation with soft segments content.     

New poly(amide-imide) syntheses. V. Preparation and properties of poly(amide-imide)s based on the diimide—diacid condensed from 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane and trimellitic anhydride

A dicarboxylic acid ( 1 ) bearing two pre-formed imide rings, was prepared from the condensation of 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane and trimellitic anhydride. A new family of poly(amide-imide)s having inherent viscosities of 0.53–1.68 dL/g was prepared by the triphenyl phosphite activated polycondensation from the diimide—diacid I with various aromatic diamines in a medium consisting of N-methyl-2-pyrolidone (NMP), pyridine, and calcium chloride. Most of the resulting polymers showed an amorphous nature and were readily soluble in polar solvents such as NMP and N,N-dimethylacetamide. All the soluble poly(amide-imide)s afforded transparent, flexible, and tough films. The glass transition temperatures of these poly(amide-imide)s were in the range of 237–293°C and the 10% weight loss temperatures were above 508°C in nitrogen. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.