BIODEGRADABLE ORGANIC RADICAL-FUNCTIONALIZED POLYCARBONATES FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

摘要

Paramagnetic, amphiphilic, biocompatible polymers were prepared comprising a carbonate repeat unit bearing a paramagnetic organic radical, more specifically a nitroxyl radical. The radical polymers can be produced in one step from a precursor polymer bearing an active ester side chain by treating the precursor polymer with a radical-bearing nucleophile. The precursor polymer can be prepared by organocatalyzed catalyzed ring opening polymerization (ROP) of a cyclic carbonate monomer bearing an active ester side chain. The radical polymers can be non-toxic and partially biodegradable. The radical polymers have utility as contrast enhancing agents in a medical imaging application and/or as therapeutic agents for treating a medical condition. The radical polymers can also serve as carriers for therapeutic agents (e.g., drugs) and/or medical image enhancing agents (e.g., NIRF dyes).

主权项

1. A polymer comprising:
a radical repeat unit having a structure according to formula (1):wherein
R′ is monovalent group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen (H—*) and groups comprising 1-5 carbons, each R″ is an independent monovalent group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen (H—*) and methyl (Me-*), and W′ is a monovalent moiety comprising a paramagnetic organic radical, wherein the organic radical comprises an unpaired electron of a carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and/or sulfur.