Degradable Ureido-Polycarbonate Block Copolymers with a Complex UCST Thermoresponse.

ABSTRACT: In this work, amphiphilic block copolymers (BCs) consisting of a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (PEG) and a degradable polycarbonate block derived from 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis-MPA) with pendant ureido units, along with corresponding homopolycarbonates are described. Polymers are synthesized by combining ring opening polymerization (ROP) and thiol-ene/yne functionalization to incorporate UCST-promoting ureido groups. For homopolycarbonates, increasing the ureido groups density along the polymer chain facilitates the upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type thermoresponse in water. Because of their amphiphilic character, BCs form stable self-assemblies either by direct dispersion in water, co-solvent method or microfluidics. Upon heating, these self-a

SUBMITTER: Martin-Martin J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12272536 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature