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Malolactonate polymers and copolymers for biomedical applications |
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| Authors: | Ranieri Bizzarri Federica Chiellini Christopher K. Ober W. Mark Saltzman Roberta Solaro Emo Chiellini |
| Affiliation: | 1. UdR - INSTM Consortium @ Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, via Risorgimento 35, 56126 Pisa, Italy;2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Bard Hall, Cornell University, 14853 Ithaca (NY), USA;3. School of Chemical Engineering, Olin Hall, Cornell University, 14853 Ithaca (NY), USA |
| Abstract: | A new class of malolactonate polymers and copolymers with a wide range of lateral chain structures were synthesized by anionic ring opening polymerization of alkyl malolactonate monomers. The monomers were prepared in good yields according to established procedures. Final macromolecular and thermal characteristics were in agreement with the designed monomer structures. Molecular weights in the range 4-20 kD were attained, as a result of chain transfer reactions. Representative polymeric compounds displayed stability up to 200 °C. Many of the obtained poly(alkyl malolactonate)s were able to sustain and promote with 3T3 murine fibroblasts adhesion and proliferation onto their surface. |
| Keywords: | alkyl malolactonates anionic polymerization biocompatibility biodegradable polymers tissue engineering |