Preparation of porous PCL-PEG-PCL scaffolds using supercritical carbon dioxide

In this study, the Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (scCO₂) gas foaming procedure was used in the preparation of scaffolds containing the model drug dexamethasone (DXMT). The method used did not include an organic solvent thus making it a safe method. The ring-opening polymerization of PCL-PEG-PCL (PCEC) triblock was conducted using an organocatalyst [1,8 diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene (DBU)]. After mixing 5.0 g of DXMT with 50.0 g of PCEC, hydraulic pressure was applied to compress the mixed powder into disc-like tablets. The tablet-like scaffold of the triblock containing DXMT was inserted into a scCO₂ gas-foaming device. The peak porosity percentage of the synthesized triblock was found to be 55.58 %. Pressure, temperature, soaking time and the time required to depressurize were recorded as 198 bar, 50 °C, 2.0 h, and 28 min respectively. After treatment with scCO₂, the scaffolds experienced an almost full release of DXMT in vitro after 30 days (83.74 ± 1.54 % vs 52.24 ± 2.03 % before scCO₂ treatment). In conclusion, the results proved that the scCO₂ gas foaming procedure could be employed for constructing modifiable PCEC scaffolds with plausible porosity and structural and morphological features which can manipulate drug release.

Development of a novel, automated, robotic system for rapid, high-throughput, parallel, solid-phase peptide synthesis

The development of peptide-based pharmaceutics is a hot topic in the pharmaceutical industry and in basic research. However, from the research and development perspective there is an unmet need for new, alternative, solid-phase peptide synthesizers that are highly efficient, automated, robust, able to synthetize peptides in parallel, inexpensive (to obtain and operate), have potential to be scaled up, and even comply with the principles of green chemistry. Moreover, a peptide synthesizer of this type could also fill the gap in university research, and therefore speed the advancement of peptide-based pharmaceutical options. This paper presents a Tecan add-on peptide synthesizer (TaPSy), which has operational flexibility (coupling time: 15-30 min), can handle all manual synthesis methods, and is economical (solvent use: 34.5 mL/cycle, while handling 0.49 mmol scale/reactor, even with ≤3 equivalents of activated amino acid derivatives). Moreover, it can carry out parallel synthesis of up to 12 different peptides (0.49 mmol scale in each). TaPSy uses no heating or high pressure, while it is still resistant to external influences (operating conditions: atmospheric pressure, room temperature 20-40 ˚C, including high [>70%] relative humidity). The system's solvent can also be switched from DMF to a green and biorenewable solvent, γ-valerolactone (GVL), without further adjustment. The designed TaPSy system can produce peptides with high purity (>70%), even with the green GVL solvent alternative. In this paper we demonstrate the optimization path of a newly developed peptide synthesizer in the context of coupling reagents, reaction time and reagent equivalents applying for a synthesis of a model peptide. We compare the results by analytical characteristics (purity of raw material, crude yield, yield) and calculated overall cost of the syntheses of one mg of crude peptide using a specified set of reaction conditions.

Development of Biodegradable Polyesters: Study of Variations in Their Morphological and Thermal Properties through Changes in Composition of Alkyl-Substituted (ε-DL) and Non-Substituted (ε-CL, EB, L-LA) Monomers

Three series of polyesters based on monomer combinations of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL), ethylene brassylate (EB), and l-Lactide (LLA) with the alkyl substituted lactone ε-decalactone (ε-DL) were synthesized at different molar ratios. Copolymers were obtained via ring opening polymerization (ROP) employing TBD (1,5,7-triazabicyclo-[4.4.0]-dec-5-ene), an organic catalyst which can be handled under normal conditions, avoiding the use of glove box equipment. The molar monomer composition of resulting copolymers differed from theoretical values due to lower ε-DL reactivity; their M_n and M_w values were up to 14 kDa and 22.8 kDa, respectively, and distributions were (Ɖ) ≤ 2.57. The thermal stability of these materials suffered due to variations in their ε-DL molar content. Thermal transitions such as melting (T_m) and crystallization (T_c) showed a decreasing tendency as ε-DL molar content increased, while glass transition (T_g) exhibited minor changes. It is worth mentioning that changes in monomer composition in these polyesters have a strong impact on their thermal performance, as well as in their crystallization degree. Consequently, variations in their chemical structure may have an effect on hydrolyic degradation rates. It should be noted that, in future research, some of these copolymers will be exposed to hydrolytic degradation experiments, including characterizations of their mechanical properties, to determine their adequacy in potential use in the development of soft medical devices.

Synthesis of copolyesters based on substituted and non-substituted lactones towards the control of their crystallinity and their potential effect on hydrolytic degradation in the design of soft medical devices

ROP synthesis of polyesters at different molar ratios of monomers ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) in combination with alkyl substituted lactones δ-decalactone (δ-DL), ε-decalactone (ε-DL) and δ-dodecalactone (δ-DD), as well copolymers based on ε-DL and δ-DD.

Copolyesters of ε-caprolactone and l-lactide catalyzed by a tetrabutylammonium phthalimide-N-oxyl organocatalyst

Aliphatic polyesters are biocompatible materials that can be used in biomedical applications. We report here the use of tetrabutylammonium phthalimide-N-oxyl catalyst (TBAPINO), as a thermally stable organocatalyst for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters under mild conditions. In the solution ROP of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL), quantitative conversion and M n of ∼20 000 g mol-1 are achieved in a wide temperature range from -15 to 60 °C. Under bulk condition, the conversion of ε-CL reaches over 85% at 120 °C within 2 h. The living ROP character of l-lactide (l-LA) catalyzed over TBAPINO is proved by multiple additions of monomer in the bulk polymerization. The catalyst shows comparable selectivity towards the ring-opening polymerization of l-LA and ε-CL. Their copolymerization over TBAPINO is carried out in one-pot bulk condition in terms of the reaction time, monomer feed ratio, and sequence of addition. The colorless poly(ε-caprolactone-co-lactide) (PCLA) is obtained with considerable conversion of both monomers with the M n over 22 000 g mol-1.

Ring-opening copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and δ-valerolactone by a titanium-based metal–organic framework

Copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and δ-valerolactone without any co-catalyst in a solvent-free medium under eco-friendly conditions using earth abundant Ti-metal based MOF, MIL-125.

Organocatalytic Synthesis of Alkyne-Functional Aliphatic Polycarbonates via Ring-Opening Polymerization of an Eight-Membered-N-Cyclic Carbonate

The synthesis of well-defined propargyl-functional aliphatic polycarbonates is achieved via the organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of prop-2-yn-1-yl 2-oxo-1,3,6-dioxazocane-6-carboxylate (P-8NC) using a wide variety of commercially available or readily made, shelf-stable organocatalysts. The resulting homopolymers show low dispersities and end-group fidelity, with the versatility of the system being demonstrated by the synthesis of telechelic copolymers and block copolymers with molar mass up to 40 kDa.

Ionic liquid-functionalized LDH as catalytic-initiating nanoparticles for microwave-activated ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

Layered double hydroxides with ionic liquid as highly active catalytic-initiating system for microwave-assisted ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.

The mechanistic duality of (thio)urea organocatalysts for ring-opening polymerization

Among the various catalysts for ROP, H-bonding organocatalysts stand out in the precise level of reaction control they are able to render during ROP. The H-bonding class of organocatalysts are thought to effect ROP via dual activation of both monomer and chain end. (Thio)urea mediated ROP has experienced a renaissance as a new polymerization mechanism - mediated by imidate or thioimidate species - facilitates new modes of reactivity and new synthetic abilities. Indeed, the urea class of H-bond donors has been shown to be more active than their corresponding thioureas. The imidate mechanism remains highly active in polar solvents and exhibits remarkable control - and 'living' behavior - under solvent-free conditions, and a broad range of temperatures is accessible. The advancements in synthetic abilities have all evolved through a greater understanding of reaction mechanism. Through the continued synergistic advances of catalysis and material, the (thio)urea class of catalyst can find use in a host of potential applications, research and industrial environments.

Studying the catalytic activity of DBU and TBD upon water-initiated ROP of ε-caprolactone under different thermodynamic conditions

Studies performed revealed that a novel catalytic system for water-initiated ε-CL ROP based on DBU protonation showed enhanced performance under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions.

Isoselective Ring-Opening Polymerization of rac-Lactide from Chiral Takemoto's Organocatalysts: Elucidation of Stereocontrol

Despite significant advances in organocatalysis, stereoselective polymerization reactions utilizing chiral organocatalysts have received very little attention, and much about the underlying mechanisms remains unknown. Here, we report that both commercially available (R,R)- and (S,S)-enantiomers of chiral thiourea-amine Takemoto's organocatalysts promote efficient control and high isoselectivity at room temperature of the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of racemic lactide by kinetic resolution, yielding highly isotactic, semicrystalline and metal-free polylactide (PLA). Kinetic investigations and combined analyses of the resulting PLAs have allowed the stereocontrol mechanism, which eventually involves both enantiomorphic site control and chain-end control, to be determined. Moreover, epimerization of rac-LA to meso-LA is identified as being responsible for the introduction of some stereoerrors during the ROP process.

Organic Catalysis for Ring-Opening Graft Polymerization of p-Dioxanone with Xylan in Ionic liquid

Recently, organic catalysis has become a powerful alternative to the use of more traditional metal-based catalysts. In this study, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), and 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) were applied to mediate the ring-opening graft polymerization (ROGP) of p-dioxanone (PDO) with xylan-based hemicelluloses in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl). Excellent control of the molar ratio of the catalyst to anhydroxylose units (AXU) in xylan was found for a good tuning of the weight percent gain (WPG) of xylan-graft-poly(p-dioxanone) (xylan-g-PPDO) copolymers. As a result, the maximum WPG of xylan-g-PPDO copolymers was 431.07% (DMAP/AXU of 2/1), 316.72% (DBU/AXU of 0.2/1), and 323.15% (TBD/AXU of 0.2/1), respectively. The structure of xylan-g-PPDO copolymers was characterized with FT-IR and NMR. The thermal properties of copolymers were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and a significant difference was observed regarding the transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), and crystallization temperature (Tc).

Synthesis of Thermoplastic Xylan-Lactide Copolymer with Amidine-Mediated Organocatalyst in Ionic Liquid

Ring-opening graft polymerization (ROGP) of L-Lactide (L-LA) is a practical method of altering the physical and chemical properties of lignocellulose. Previous studies have mainly investigated cellulose and tin-based catalysts, particularly of tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (Sn(oct)2), at high temperatures and reported low graft efficiencies. In the present study, ROGP of L-LA was successfully achieved on xylan-type hemicelluloses in ionic liquid (IL) 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Amim]Cl) using 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as an effective organic catalyst. Mild reaction condition (50 °C) was used to limit transesterification, and thus enhance the graft efficiency. The hydroxyl groups on xylan acted as initiators in the polymerization, and DBU, enhanced the nucleophilicity of the initiator and the propagating chain. Xylan-graft-poly(L-Lactide) (xylan-g-PLA) copolymer with a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.58 and a degree of polymerization (DP) of 5.51 was obtained. In addition, the structures of the xylan-g-PLA copolymers were characterized by GPC, FT-IR and NMR, confirming the success of the ROGP reaction. Thermal analysis revealed that the copolymers exhibited a single glass-transition temperature (T g), which decreased with increasing molar substitution (MS). Thus, modification resulted in the graft copolymers with thermoplastic behavior and tunable T g.

Elucidating a Unified Mechanistic Scheme for the DBU-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactide to Poly(lactic acid)

The synthesis of poly(lactic acid), PLA, is facile in the presence of the cyclic, organic amidine catalyst 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, DBU. Since DBU's catalytic capability was first reported by Lohmeijer and colleagues in 2006 for ring-opening polymerizations (ROP), there have been numerous studies conducted by a variety of groups on the catalytic functioning of DBU in the ROPs of cyclic esters resulting in a large body of un-unified material from a mechanistic standpoint. This lack of clarity will hamper engineering polymers with desired characteristics from cyclic ester and lactone monomers. The work outlined in this paper seeks to propose a unified picture of the mechanisms in the DBU catalyzed ROP of lactide. In providing this unified picture of the ROP our work encompassed: (i) proposing a detailed reaction network scheme, (ii) conducting syntheses of lactide and DBU over a range of initial concentrations, and (iii) kinetic modeling to further support the proposed reaction network. As a result, our work has produced: (i) kinetic data, (ii) a consistent, viable reaction scheme verified through kinetic modeling, (iii) deduced and quantified the interplay between polymerization routes facilitated by the presence of DBU, thus demonstrating the need for detailed kinetic studies to deconstruct complex reaction networks, (iv) the first experimental evidence in support of the combination of ketene aminal-ended chains with alcohol-ended chains, and (v) analyzed the robustness of the catalyst to acid contamination.

Traceless switch organocatalysis enables multiblock ring-opening copolymerizations of lactones, carbonates, and lactides: by a one plus one approach in one pot

A switch of organocatalysis from cationic to base/conjugate-acid bifunctional mechanisms made ring-opening copolymerizations of lactones/carbonates to lactides success.

Dynamic Landau theory for supramolecular self-assembly

Although pathway-specific kinetic theories are fundamentally important to describe and understand reversible polymerisation kinetics, they come in principle at a cost of having a large number of system-specific parameters. Here, we construct a dynamical Landau theory to describe the kinetics of activated linear supramolecular self-assembly, which drastically reduces the number of parameters and still describes most of the interesting and generic behavior of the system in hand. This phenomenological approach hinges on the fact that if nucleated, the polymerisation transition resembles a phase transition. We are able to describe hysteresis, overshooting, undershooting and the existence of a lag time before polymerisation takes off, and pinpoint the conditions required for observing these types of phenomenon in the assembly and disassembly kinetics. We argue that the phenomenological kinetic parameter in our theory is a pathway controller, i.e., it controls the relative weights of the molecular pathways through which self-assembly takes place.

Organophosphate-catalyzed bulk ring-opening polymerization as an environmentally benign route leading to block copolyesters, end-functionalized polyesters, and polyester-based polyurethane

To expand the potential of an organophosphate catalyst, ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters, cyclic ester-ether, and cyclic carbonate was demonstrated under bulk conditions.

Cooperative Hydrogen-Bond Pairing in Organocatalytic Ring-Opening Polymerization

Thiourea (TU)/amine base cocatalysts are commonly employed for well-controlled, highly active "living" organocatalytic ring-opening polymerizations (ROPs) of cyclic esters and carbonates. In this work, several of the most active cocatalyst pairs are shown by 1H NMR binding studies to be highly associated in solution, dominating all other known noncovalent catalyst/reagent interactions during ROP. One strongly binding catalyst pair behaves kinetically as a unimolecular catalyst species. The high selectivity and activity exhibited by these ROP organocatalysts are attributed to the strong binding between the two cocatalysts, and the predictive utility of these binding parameters is applied for the discovery of a new, highly active cocatalyst pair.