Graft Polymerization of Acryloyloxystarch with Poly (D, L-lactide) Macromonomer——A Potential Drug Delivery Carrier for Oral Administration

Starch is the second largest natural biopolymer. Its unique biodegradable and biocompatible properties make it be increasingly applied to the field of biomedicine. As one kind of polysaccharide, starch is easily degraded into small organic molecules by amylase in the alimentary canal. The fact that the activity of amylase is restrained in the high acid environment in stomach provides an opportunity to prepare an intestinal-specific delivery carrier with     

Preparation of Bottlebrush Polymers via a One‐Pot Ring‐Opening Polymerization (ROP) and Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) Grafting‐Through Strategy

Bottlebrush polymers are synthesized using a tandem ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) strategy. For the first time, ROP and ROMP are conducted sequentially in the same pot to yield well‐defined bottlebrush polymers with molecular weights in excess of 10⁶ Da. The first step of this process involves the synthesis of a polylactide macromonomer (MM) via ROP of d ,l ‐lactide initiated by an alcohol‐functionalized norbornene. ROMP grafting‐through is then carried out in the same pot to produce the bottlebrush polymer. The applicability of this methodology is evaluated for different MM molecular weights and bottlebrush backbone degrees of polymerization. Size‐exclusion chromatographic and ¹H NMR spectroscopic analyses confirm excellent control over both polymerization steps. In addition, bottlebrush polymers are imaged using atomic force microscopy and stain‐free transmission electron microscopy on graphene oxide.

     

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(D,L-Lactide) (PLA) and Poly(D,L-Lactide)-Poly(Ethylene Glycol) (PLA-PEG) Nanocapsules Containing Antitumoral Agent Methotrexate

Summary: The aims of the present work were to prepare and characterize nanocapsules containing antitumoral agent methotrexate (MTX) from poly(D ,L -lactide) (PLA) and poly(D ,L -lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol) diblock copolymer (PLA-PEG) with the purpose of administrating this drug by topical ocular route for primary ocular lymphoma treatment. Nanocapsules were prepared by the interfacial deposition of preformed polymer. The influences of the initial amount of MTX on the encapsulation efficiency, drug recovery and drug content, as well as the physicochemical properties of the particles were evaluated. The particle mean diameters were 246 and 146 nm, and zeta potential values were −38.8 and −33.6 mV, for the MTX-loaded nanocapsules prepared from PLA and PLA-PEG, respectively. The methotrexate content in the particles increased with the increasing in the drug amount added to the formulations, but the drug recovery decreased significantly. After 4 h of in vitro release, 28 and 86% of MTX was released from PLA and PLA-PEG nanocapsules, respectively.     

PLA大分子单体接枝NVP共聚物的合成与性能

制备了末端为双键的功能化聚乳酸大分子单体(PLA-HEMA),并以此大分子单体与N-乙烯基吡咯烷酮(NVP)进行自由基溶液共聚,合成了具有亲水性PVP-PHEMA主链和疏水性PLA支链的接枝共聚物。用FT-IR1、H-NMR、GPC、DSC、表面接触角测定研究了共聚物的结构与性能。结果表明:共聚物为非晶聚合物;NVP的摩尔投料量对共聚物的性能有显著影响,随NVP投料量增大,共聚物的分子量有所下降,玻璃化转变温度(Tg)增大;由于亲水性PVP和PHEMA链段的引入,共聚物的亲水性优于相应的线型聚乳酸材料。     

六甲基环三硅氧烷（D3）阴离子开环聚合机理与动力学研究

本文从聚合机理和反应动力学两方面综述了近年来六甲基环三硅氧烷（D3）的阴离子开环聚合研究进展。Frye等人提出在非极性的碳氢溶剂中会形成引发剂的的三种加成物质,在不加入促进剂的情况下不会进行D3的开环聚合,这一开环聚合机理成为随后D3阴离子开环聚合机理研究的基础,研究者采用MALDI-TOF研究聚合机理得到的结论证实了这一机理的正确性,促进剂、溶剂、引发剂的类型和聚合步骤会改变活性链末端的缔合和解缔合的平衡能力,对D3开环过程中的反咬和再分布副反应有显著影响。D3开环聚合增长速率对单体浓度为一级,不同的促进剂和引发剂会显著改变活性链末端的缔合能力,从而显著影响聚合动力学。     

聚硫醚醚酮(砜)芳香环状低聚物的合成与自由基开环聚合

在“拟高稀释”条件下,通过亲核缩聚反应高产率地合成了含硫醚键的芳香醚环状低聚物.应用核磁、GPC和激光质谱(MALDI-TOFMS)等手段对环状低聚物的结构进行了确认,并研究了环状低聚物的组分分布.聚硫醚醚酮环状低聚物在硫醚自由基的引发下进行快速熔融聚合,得到热稳定性很好的高分子量线性聚合物.     

Amphiphilic Block‐Graft Copolymers Poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐(polycarbonates‐g‐palmitate) Prepared via the Combination of Ring‐Opening Polymerization and Click Chemistry

Amphiphilic block‐graft copolymers mPEG‐b‐P(DTC‐ADTC‐g‐Pal) were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) and 2,2‐bis(azidomethyl)trimethylene carbonate (ADTC) with poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (mPEG) as an initiator, followed by the click reaction of propargyl palmitate and the pendant azido groups on the polymer chains. Stable micelle solutions of the amphiphilic block‐graft copolymers could be prepared by adding water to a THF solution of the polymer followed by the removal of the organic solvent by dialysis. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed that the micelles had a narrow size distribution. Transmission electron microscopy images displayed that the micelles were in spherical shape. The grafted structure could enhance the interaction of polymer chains with drug molecules and improve the drug‐loading capacity and entrapment efficiency. Further, the amphiphilic block‐graft copolymers mPEG‐b‐P(DTC‐ADTC‐g‐Pal) were low cytotoxic and had more sustained drug release behavior. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Chitosan‐Silica Sulfate Nano Hybrid as a Novel and Highly Proficient Heterogeneous Nano Catalyst for Regioselective Ring Opening of Epoxides via Carboxylic Acids

The synthesis and characterization of chitosan‐silica sulfate nano hybrid (CSSNH ) as a novel and efficient heterogeneous nano catalyst involving acid‐base bifunctional activity is described. The catalytic potency and activity of this eco‐friendly catalyst was investigated in regioselective ring opening of epoxides with carboxylic acids to access structurally diverse 1,2‐diol mono‐esters in good to excellent yields. CSSNH catalyst was characterized using different microscopic and spectroscopic techniques encompassing scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption isotherm, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The green nature, cheapness, efficiency, ease of preparation, handling and reusability of this new catalyst makes this catalyst to be useful for green industrial processes.     

界面聚合自组装合成三维多孔网络状聚邻甲基苯胺

采用界面聚合法在植酸的辅助作用下自组装合成具有连续三维多孔网络结构的聚邻甲基苯胺(POT)。采用扫描电镜(SEM)、氮气吸附和接触角测定的手段,研究了POT的微观结构、比表面积和亲水性。结果表明:当植酸浓度为0.3mol/L,聚合温度为10℃时,POT呈现三维多孔网络状形貌,开孔尺寸为0.2~1μm,且网络上附着粒径不足200nm的聚合物颗粒。该POT具有相对较高的电导率(7.52×10-3 S/cm)和比表面积(37.5 m2/g)以及较好的亲水性(接触角为34°)。在聚合过程中,多官能团的植酸既是掺杂剂又是交联剂,其与聚合物链的相互作用是该自组装行为的驱动力。     

Post‐Synthesis Functionalization of (Meth)acrylate Based Monoliths via Electron Beam Triggered Graft Polymerization

Porous polymeric monoliths were prepared via electron beam triggered free radical polymerization of (meth)acrylates. Post‐synthesis functionalization of these supports was accomplished via electron beam initiated free radical graft polymerization of methacryloyl‐substituted NHC precursors. The grafted precursors were converted into the corresponding copper complexes. Cu‐loadings were between 1.3 mg · g⁻¹ and 1.5 mg · g⁻¹. These supported catalysts were used in selected CO hydrosilylation and cyanosilylation reactions using a continuous flow setup.

     

Novel Biodegradable Block Copolymers of Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and Cationic Polycarbonate: Effects of PEG Configuration on Gene Delivery

A novel amine‐functionalized polycarbonate was synthesized and its excellent gene transfection ability in vitro is demonstrated. In the framework of adapting the cationic polycarbonate for in vivo gene delivery applications, here the design and synthesis of biodegradable block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and amine‐functionalized polycarbonate with a well‐defined molecular architecture and molecular weight is achieved by metal‐free organocatalytic ring‐opening polymerization. Copolymers in triblock cationic polycarbonate‐block‐PEG‐block‐cationic polycarbonate and diblock PEG‐block‐cationic polycarbonate configurations, in comparison with a non‐PEGylated cationic polycarbonate control, are investigated for their influence on key aspects of gene delivery. Among the polymers with similar molecular weights and N content, the triblock copolymer exhibit more favorable physicochemical (i.e., DNA binding, size, zeta‐potential, and in vitro stability) and biological (i.e., cellular uptake and luciferase reporter gene expression) properties. Importantly, the various cationic polycarbonate/DNA complexes are biocompatible, inducing minimal cytotoxicities and hemolysis. These results suggest that the triblock copolymer is a more useful architecture in future cationic polymer designs for successful systemic therapeutic applications.     

Improving Gene Delivery Efficiency of Bioreducible Poly(amidoamine)s via Grafting with Dendritic Poly(amidoamine)s

Dendritic poly(amidoamine)s (PAMAM)s were introduced into the side chains of disulfide‐containing poly(amidoamine)s via repetitive Michael addition and amidation. The bioreducible poly(amidoamine)s grafted with dendritic polyamidoamines showed high buffer capacity, low cytotoxicity and strong DNA binding ability at low N/P ratio. They were able to condense DNA into small sized polycation/DNA complexes, which degraded and released the incorporated DNA under reductive conditions. In comparison to the original disulfide‐containing poly(amidoamine) with aminoethyl side chain, the grafting of the bioreducible poly(amidoamine) with dendrimer greatly improved the transfection efficiencies of 293T and HeLa cells with foreign DNA at various N/P ratios. The structure–gene delivery property relations of dendrimer‐grafted polycations will provide valuable insight into the design of highly efficient and less toxic polycationic gene carriers.

     

直接熔融聚合法制备以胆酸为核的星型聚(D,L-乳酸)药物缓释材料及其表征

以廉价的外消旋乳酸(D,L-LA)为原料,胆酸为核,氧化亚锡为催化剂,采用熔融聚合法合成了星型结构的胆酸-聚(D,L-乳酸)共聚物,分别考察了预聚时间、催化剂种类、用量以及熔融共聚时间等的影响,并用FT-IR、1HNMR、GPC等对共聚物进行了表征。当胆酸和乳酸的投料比(以物质的量计)为1∶64、预聚8h、熔融共聚8h、熔融温度160℃、催化剂用量0.3%时,以51.9%的产率生成了重均分子量(Mw)达5600(分散度Mw/Mn=1.37)的共聚物。分析表明,每个星型结构高分子中含有一个胆酸单元核心。本方法步骤少,有利于该类含特殊功能基团的药物缓释材料的廉价、快速合成。     

Hyperbranched Polylysine: A Versatile,Biodegradable Transfection Agent for the Production of Recombinant Proteins by Transient Gene Expression and the Transfection of Primary Cells

The feasibility of a new transfection agent, HBPL, for the production of recombinant IgG antibody via TGE as well as for the transfection of primary cells is studied. Under the conditions investigated, transfection of CHO‐DG44 cells using HBPL results in IgG yields that are comparable to those obtained with PEI. In experiments with CHO‐K1 cells and MEFs the use of HPBL allows to achieve transfection efficiencies comparable to or better than those obtained with PEI or Fugene®. HBPL‐mediated transfection does not require complex pre‐formation, works well in serum‐containing media and is biodegradable, which may prevent cumulative cytotoxicity and facilitates downstream processing.

     

Efficient Gene Transfection through Inhibition of β-Sheet (Amyloid Fiber) Formation of a Short Amphiphilic Peptide by Gold Nanoparticles

The effect of citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the secondary structure of an artificial β-sheet-forming cationic peptide has been studied. The AuNPs inhibited β-sheet formation and led to fragmented fibrils and spherical oligomers with assembled AuNPs on their surface. Besides this structural change, the functional properties of the peptide are also different. Whereas the peptide was unable to act as a vector for gene delivery, formation of a complex with AuNPs allowed successful gene delivery into cells.     

Polycationic Amphiphilic Cyclodextrins for Gene Delivery: Synthesis and Effect of Structural Modifications on Plasmid DNA Complex Stability,Cytotoxicity, and Gene Expression

A molecular‐diversity‐oriented approach for the preparation of well‐defined polycationic amphiphilic cyclodextrins (paCDs) as gene‐delivery systems is reported. The synthetic strategy takes advantage of the differential reactivity of primary versus secondary hydroxyl groups on the CD torus to regioselectively decorate each rim with cationic elements and lipophilic tails, respectively. Both the charge density and the hydrophobic–hydrophilic balance can be finely tuned in a highly symmetrical architecture that is reminiscent of both cationic lipids and cationic polymers, the two most prominent types of nonviral gene vectors. The monodisperse nature of paCDs and the modularity of the synthetic scheme are particularly well suited for structure–activity relationship studies. Gel electrophoresis revealed that paCDs self‐assemble in the presence of plasmid DNA (pDNA) to provide homogeneous, stable nanoparticles (CDplexes) of 70–150 nm that fully protect pDNA from the environment. The transfection efficiency of the resulting CDplexes has been investigated in vitro on BNL‐CL2 and COS‐7 cell lines in the absence and presence of serum and found to be intimately dependent on architectural features. Facial amphiphilicity and the presence of a cluster of cationic and hydrogen‐bonding centers for cooperative and reversible complexation of the polyanionic DNA chain is crucial to attain high transgene expression levels with very low toxicity profiles. Further enhancement of gene expression, eventually overcoming that of polyplexes from commercial polyethyleneimine (PEI) polymers (22 kDa), is achieved by building up space‐oriented dendritic polycationic constructs.     

Synthesis,self‐assembly,drug‐release behavior,and cytotoxicity of triblock and pentablock copolymers composed of poly(ε‐caprolactone), poly(L‐lactide), and poly(ethylene glycol)

Biocompatible and biodegradable ABC and ABCBA triblock and pentablock copolymers composed of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), poly(L ‐lactide) (PLA), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO) with controlled molecular weights and low polydispersities were synthesized by a click conjugation between alkyne‐terminated PCL‐b‐PLA and azide‐terminated PEO. Their molecular structures, physicochemical and self‐assembly properties were thoroughly characterized by means of FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. These copolymers formed microphase‐separated crystalline materials in solid state, where the crystallization of PCL block was greatly restricted by both PEO and PLA blocks. These copolymers self‐assembled into starlike and flowerlike micelles with a spherical morphology, and the micelles were stable over 27 days in aqueous solution at 37 °C. The doxorubicin (DOX) drug‐loaded nanoparticles showed a bigger size with a similar spherical morphology compared to blank nanoparticles, demonstrating a biphasic drug‐release profile in buffer solution and at 37 °C. Moreover, the DOX‐loaded nanoparticles fabricated from the pentablock copolymer sustained a longer drug‐release period (25 days) at pH 7.4 than those of the triblock copolymer. The blank nanoparticles showed good cell viability, whereas the DOX‐loaded nanoparticles killed fewer cells than free DOX, suggesting a controlled drug‐release effect. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Facile Synthesis of Brush Poly(phosphoamidate)s via One‐Pot Tandem Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization and Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA)‐based brush poly(phosphoamidate)s are successfully synthesized by a combination of ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) following either a commutative two‐step procedure or a straightforward one‐pot process using Grubbs ruthenium‐based catalysts for tandem catalysis. Compared with the traditional polymerization method, combining ROMP and ATRP in a one‐pot process allows the preparation of brush copolymers characterized by a relatively moderate molecular weight distribution and quantitative conversion of monomer. Moreover, the surface morphologies and aggregation behaviors of these polymers are studied by AFM and TEM measurements.