Backbone vs. side-chain: two light-degradable polyurethanes based on 6-nitropiperonal. Issue 31 (23rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jung, Dimitri; Rust, Tarik; Völlmecke, Katharina; Schoppa, Timo; Langer, Klaus; Kuckling, Dirk
• Is Part Of: Polymer chemistry. Volume 12:Issue 31(2021)
• Page Start: 4565
• Page End: 4575
• Publication Date: 2021-07-23
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1039/d1py00442e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-9954

Abstract

Abstract : Two novel polyurethanes, which are based on 6-nitropiperonal and differ in the implementation of the light-cleavable unit, were synthesized to develop a drug delivery system that only releases cargo upon application of a certain trigger. Abstract : Stimuli-degradable polymers are regarded as interesting materials for various applications like patterning or drug delivery. In particular, light as a trigger received a lot of attention due to the possibility of adjusting wavelength, light intensity and irradiation time, which leads to a precise and controlled application. In this study, we report the synthesis of two novel light-degradable polyurethanes which are based on 6-nitropiperonal and differ in the implementation of the light-cleavable unit. Degradation of these backbone- or side-chain-cleavable polymers was analyzed by UV/Vis spectroscopy and SEC. While both polymers showed rapid decomposition in solution, differences in the degradation rates were observed dependent on the incorporation site of the light-cleavable unit. Furthermore, nanoparticles were fabricated and characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy proving the processability of the polymers for potential application as, e.g., a controlled release system.