Mechanism of Cyclic Ester Polymerization Initiated with Tin(II) Octoate. 2. Macromolecules Fitted with Tin(II) Alkoxide Species Observed Directly in MALDI−TOF Spectra

Tert-butylamidinate tin(ii) complexes: high activity, single-site initiators for the controlled production of polylactide

The tin(ii) coordination chemistry of two monoanionic N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)alkylamidinate ligands is described. Complexation studies with the acetamidinate, [MeC(NAr)(2)](-), (Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) are complicated by the side formation of the bis(amidinate) tin(ii) compound, [MeC(NAr)(2)](2)Sn. By contrast, the bulkier tert-butylamidinate, [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)](-), allows tin(ii) mono-halide, -alkoxide and -amide complexes to be isolated cleanly in high yields. Thus, the reaction of [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]H with (n)BuLi and subsequent treatment with SnCl(2) generates [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]SnCl, in ca. 70% yield. Reactions of with LiO(i)Pr, LiNMe(2) and LiNTMS(2) afford [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(O(i)Pr), [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(NMe(2)), and [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(NTMS(2)), respectively. The molecular structures of complexes are reported. Complexes, and have been investigated as initiators for the ring-opening polymerisation of rac-lactide: and display characteristics of well-controlled polymerisation initiators, but high molecular weight polymer is observed with due to inefficient initiation, a consequence of the steric bulk of the NTMS(2) unit. Polymerisations with and are faster than for the corresponding beta-diketiminate tin(ii) complexes, consistent with the more open nature of the tin(ii) coordination sphere.

New Asymmetric ABn-Shaped Amphiphilic Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-[Poly(l-lactide)]n (n = 2, 4, 8) Bridged with Dendritic Ester Linkages: I. Syntheses and Their Characterization

This study presents new investigations on chemical syntheses and characterization of new asymmetric AB(n)-shaped amphiphilic diblock methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-[poly(l-lactide)](n), MPEG-b-(PLLA)(n) (n = 2, 4, and 8), bridged with dendritic ester linkages. First, a new series of A(OH)(n)-shaped hydroxy end-capped MPEG-(OH)(2), MPEG-(OH)(4), and MPEG-(OH)(8) bearing corresponding one- to three-generation dendritic ester moieties were efficiently derived from the starting MPEG (M(n) = 2 KDa) and 2,2'-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (Bis-HMPA) via ester coupling and a facile hydroxy protection-deprotection cycle, and then, chemical structures of these functional MPEG-(OH)(n) were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR) and MALDI-FTMS. Subsequently, by employing these MPEG-(OH)(n) as functional macroinitiators, new asymmetric AB(n)()-shaped amphiphilic MPEG-b-(PLLA)(2) S1, MPEG-b-(PLLA)(4) S2, and MPEG-b-(PLLA)(8) S3 bridged with dendritic Bis-HMPA ester linkages of L1-L3 as well as linear structural MPEG-b-PLLA references (R1-R3) were synthesized through the SnOct(2)-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide at 130 degrees C in m-xylene solution, and their structures were further examined by NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). It was demonstrated that the functional MPEG-(OH)(n) efficiently initiated the ROP of LLA, finally leading to successful formation of the AB(n)-shaped amphiphilic MPEG-b-(PLLA)(n) (n = 2, 4, and 8) with each PLLA arm weight close to 2 KDa and very narrow molecular weight distribution. Moreover, thermal history, crystallization, and spherulite morphologies were studied by means of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), and polarized microscope (POM) for these new structural amphiphilic S1-S3 as well as the linear R1-R3, intriguingly indicating a strong molecular architecture dependence of segmental crystallizability, spherulite morphology, and apparent crystal growth rate. Due to the favorable biodegradability and biocompatibility of the PLLA and MPEG, these results may therefore create new possibilities for these novel structural AB(n)-shaped amphiphilic MPEG-b-(PLLA)(n) as potential biomaterials.

Biodegradable Amphiphilic Triblock Copolymer Bearing Pendant Glucose Residues: Preparation and Specific Interaction with Concanavalin A Molecules

A novel biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymer PLGG-PEG-PLGG bearing pendant glucose residues is successfully prepared by the coupling reaction of 3-(2-aminoethylthio)propyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside with the pendant carboxyl groups of PLGG-PEG-PLGG in the presence of N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole. The polymer PLGG-PEG-PLGG, i.e., poly{(lactic acid)-co-[(glycolic acid)-alt-(L-glutamic acid)]}-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block- poly{(lactic acid)-co-[(glycolic acid)-alt-(L-glutamic acid)]}, is prepared by ring-opening copolymerization of L-lactide (LLA) with (3s)-benzoxylcarbonylethylmorpholine-2,5-dione (BEMD) in the presence of dihydroxyl PEG with molecular weight of 2000 as macroinitiator and Sn(Oct)2 as catalyst, and then by catalytic hydrogenation. The glucose-grafted copolymer shows a lower degree of cytotoxicity to ECV-304 cells and improved specific recognition and binding with Concanavalin A (Con A). Therefore, this kind of glucose-grafted copolymer may find biomedical applications.

Comments on the ring-opening polymerization of morpholine-2,5-dione derivatives by various metal catalysts and characterization of the products formed in the reactions involving R2SnX2, where X = OPriand NMe2and R = Bun, Ph and p-Me2NC6H4

(3S,6S)-3-Isopropyl-6-methyl-morpholine-2,5-dione (1), and (3S,6S)-3,6-dimethyl-morpholine-2,5-dione (2), do not enter into ring-opening polymerization reactions with metal catalyst precursors commonly employed for lactides, and with Sn(II) octanoate, only low molecular weight oligomers are obtained. Reactions with R2SnX2 compounds, where R = Ph, Bu(n) and p-Me2NC6H4 and X = OPr(i) or NMe2, reveal that ring-opening of the morpholine-2,5-diones does occur, but that polymerization is terminated by the formation of kinetically-inert products such as {Ph2Sn[mu,eta(3)-OCH(Me)CONCH(Pr(i))COOPr(i)]}2 (3), and {[Bu(n))2Sn[mu,eta(3)-OCH(Me)CONCH(Me)CONMe2]}2 (4), with elimination of HX. Ph3SnOPr(i) is seen to react reversibly with morpholine-2,5-diones in toluene-d8 by 1H NMR spectroscopy while (Bu(n))3SnNMe2 reacts by ring opening to give (Bu(n))3SnOCH(Me)C(O)NHCHMeC(O)NMe2. The new organotin compounds have been characterized by 1H, 13C{1H} and 118Sn NMR spectroscopy and compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 by single crystal X-ray crystallography.

Titanium, zinc and alkaline-earth metal complexes supported by bulky O,N,N,O-multidentate ligands: syntheses, characterisation and activity in cyclic esterpolymerisation

The reactions of the bulky amino-bis(phenol) ligand Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2)N[CH(2)-3,5-Bu(t)(2)-C(6)H(2)OH-2](2)(1-H(2)) with Zn[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(4), [Mg[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)](2)(5) and Ca[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2)(6) yield the complexes 1-Zn, 1-Mg and 1-Ca in good yields. The X-ray structure of 1-Ca showed the complex to be dimeric, with calcium in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Five of the positions are occupied by an N(2)O(3) donor set, while the sixth is taken up by an intramolecular close contact to an o-Bu(t) substituent, a rare case of a Ca...H-C agostic interaction (Ca...H distances of 2.37 and 2.41 Angstroms). Another sterically hindered calcium complex, Ca[2-Bu(t)-6-(C(6)F(5)N=CH)C(6)H(3)O](2)(THF)(2).(C(7)H(8))(2/3)(7), was prepared by reaction of 6 with the iminophenol 2-Bu(t)-6-(C(6)F(5)N=CH)C(6)H(3)OH (3-H). According to the crystal structure 7 is monomeric and octahedral, with trans THF ligands. The complex Ti[N[CH(2)-3-Bu(t)-5-Me-C(6)H(2)O-2](2)[CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)]](OPr(i))(2)(2-Ti) was prepared by treatment of Ti(OPr(i)(4)) with the new amino-bis(phenol) Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2)N[CH(2)-3-Bu(t)-5-Me-C(6)H(2)OH-2](2)(2-H(2)). The reduction of 2-Ti with sodium amalgam gave the titanium(III) salt Ti[N[CH(2)-3-Bu(t)-5-Me-C(6)H(2)O-2](2)[CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)]](OPr(i))(2).Na(THF)(2)(8). A comparison of the X-ray structures of 2-Ti and 8 showed that the additional electron in 8 significantly reduced the intensity of the pi-bonding from the oxygen atoms of the isopropoxide groups to titanium. 1-Ca and 8 were active initiators for the ring-opening polymerisation of epsilon-caprolactone (up to 97% conversion of 200 equivalents in 2 hours) and yielded polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions.

Synthesis and characterization of novel biotinylated biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(carbonate-lactic acid) copolymers

Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(5-benzyloxy-trimethylene carbonate-lactic acid) copolymers (PEG-b-P(BTMC-LA)) were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of lactide and 5-benzyloxy trimethylene carbonate in the presence of mono-hydroxyl poly(ethylene glycol) with diethyl zinc as catalyst. They were further converted into deprotected copolymers with the pendant hydroxyl groups by hydrogenolysis in the presence of Pd(OH)2/C, and finally conjugated with biotin through the free hydroxyl groups. Gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance studies confirmed the copolymer structures and successful attachment of biotin to the copolymer.

Synthesis, characterization and melt spinning of a block copolymer of L-lactide and epsilon-caprolactone for potential use as an absorbable monofilament surgical suture

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of a block copolymer of L-lactide (LL) and epsilon -caprolactone (CL) and its subsequent melt spinning into a monofilament fiber. The synthesis reaction was a two-step process. In the first step, an approximately 50:50 mol% random copolymer, P(LL-co-CL), was synthesized via bulk copolymerization of LL and CL. This first-step prepolymer then became the macroinitiator in the second-step reaction in which more LL monomer was added to form a block copolymer, PLL-b-P(LL-co-CL)-b-PLL. Both the prepolymer and block copolymer were characterized by a combination of analytical techniques comprising dilute-solution viscometry, GPC, 1H and 13C NMR, DSC and TG. The block copolymer was then processed into a monofilament fiber using a small-scale melt spinning apparatus. The fiber was spun with a minimum amount of chain orientation and crystallinity so that its semi-crystalline morphology could be constructed under more controlled conditions in subsequent off-line hot-drawing and annealing steps. In this way, the fiber's tensile properties and dimensional stability were developed, as indicated by the changes in its stress-strain curve. The final drawn and annealed fiber had a tensile strength (>400 MPa) approaching that of a commercial PDS II suture of similar size. It is considered that this type of block copolymer has the potential to be developed further as a lower-cost alternative to the current commercial monofilament surgical sutures.

Alkaline and Enzymatic Degradation ofL-Lactide Copolymers, 1

Films of poly(L-lactide) [i.e., poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA)] and L-lactide copolymers with glycolide [P(LLA-GA)(81/19)], epsilon-caprolactone [P(LLA-CL)(82/18)], D-lactide [P(LLA-DLA)(95/5), (77/23), and (50/50)] were prepared and a comparative study on the effects of comonomer type and content on alkaline and proteinase K-catalyzed hydrolyses of the films was carried out. The hydrolyzed films were investigated using gravimetry (weight loss and water absorption), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarimetry, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). To exclude the effects of molecular weight and crystallinity on the hydrolysis, the films were prepared from polymers having similar molecular weights and made amorphous by melt-quenching. It was found that incorporation of hydrophilic glycolide units in L-lactide chains raises the alkaline and enzymatic hydrolyzabilities, whereas incorporation of hydrophobic epsilon-caprolactone units in L-lactide chains reduces the alkaline and enzymatic hydrolyzabilities. On the other hand, incorporation of D-lactide units with the same hydrophilicity of L-lactide units increases the alkaline hydrolyzability but decreases the enzymatic hydrolyzability. The alkaline hydrolyzability of the films of L-lactide copolymers with different kinds of comonomers and P(LLA-DLA) with different D-lactide unit contents can be closely related to their hydrophilicity. On the other hand, the enzymatic hydrolyzability of L-lactide copolymer films with different kinds of comonomers is mainly determined by hydrophilicity, while that of P(LLA-DLA) films is determined by the averaged L-lactyl and D-lactyl unit sequence lengths. The catalytic effect of proteinase K relative to that of alkali on the hydrolysis of P(LLA-DLA)(77/23) and P(LLA-GA)(81/19) films normalized by that of PLLA was lower than unity, whereas the normalized relative catalytic effect of proteinase K on the hydrolysis of P(LLA-CL)(82/18) film was higher than unity, meaning that despite low absolute alkaline and enzymatic hydrolyzability of the P(LLA-CL)(82/18) film, the catalytic effect of proteinase K may be maintained for this copolymer film, probably because of its blocky structure.

Preparation of chitosan-g-polycaprolactone copolymers through ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone onto phthaloyl-protected chitosan

The new biodegradable chitosan graft copolymer, chitosan-g-polycaprolactone, was synthesized by the ring-opening graft copolymerization of epsilon-caprolactone onto phthaloyl-protected chitosan (PHCS) at the hydroxyl group in the presence of tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate catalyst via a protection-graft-deprotection procedure. Toluene acted as a swelling agent in this heterogeneous system. The grafting reactions were conducted with various PHCS/monomer/toluene feed ratios to obtain chitosan-g-polycaprolactone copolymers with various polycaprolactone contents. The chemical structure of the chitosan-g-polycaprolactone was characterized by Fourier transform infrared and one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. After deprotection, the phthaloyl group was removed and the amino group was regenerated. Thus the obtained chitosan-g-polycaprolactone was an amphoteric hybrid with a large amount of free amino groups and hydrophobic polycaprolactone side chains. Some properties of the final product were also investigated, such as crystallinity, thermal property, and solubility.

Acid-initiated polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone under microwave irradiation and its application in the preparation of drug controlled release system

Acid-initiated ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epsilon-caprolactone (epsilon-CL) was conducted under microwave irradiation (MI) at 2.45 GHz. At this frequency, metallic catalysts were no longer necessary. The effects of microwave power, irradiation time, epsilon-CL: acid molar ratio and acidity of acid on the polymerization were investigated. Both the rate of polymerization and the molar mass of polymer obtained were enhanced in comparison with conventional thermal method. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) with weight-average molar mass (Mw) over 12000 g/mol and Mw/Mn below 1.6 was synthesized in the presence of carboxylic acids such as maleic acid (MA), succinic acid (SA) and adipic acid (AA). The polymerization was also carried out when the monomer contained a certain amount of ibuprofen (IBU), by which, the IBU-PCL controlled release system was prepared directly. The release of IBU from the system was sustained from 12 h to 9 days with IBU content in weight increasing from 5 to 20%. It seems that this is a promising method to prepare drug controlled release systems.

Recent Developments in Ring Opening Polymerization of Lactones for Biomedical Applications

Aliphatic polyesters prepared by ring-opening polymerization of lactones are now used worldwide as bioresorbable devices in surgery (orthopaedic devices, sutures, stents, tissue engineering, and adhesion barriers) and in pharmacology (control drug delivery). This review presents the various methods of the synthesis of polyesters and tailoring the properties by proper control of molecular weight, composition, and architecture so as to meet the stringent requirements of devices in the medical field. The effect of structure on properties and degradation has been discussed. The applications of these polymers in the biomedical field are described in detail.