Novel Antibacterial Polyglycidols: Relationship between Structure and Properties.

Antimicrobial polymers are an attractive alternative to low molecular weight biocides, because they are non-volatile, chemically stable, and can be used as non-releasing additives. Polymers with pendant quaternary ammonium groups and hydrophobic chains exhibit antimicrobial properties due to the electrostatic interaction between polymer and cell wall, and the membrane disruptive capabilities of the hydrophobic moiety. Herein, the synthesis of cationic⁻hydrophobic polyglycidols with varying structures by post-polymerization modification is presented.

Homoserine Lactone as a Structural Key Element for the Synthesis of Multifunctional Polymers.

The use of bio-based building blocks for polymer synthesis represents a milestone on the way to "green" materials. In this work, two synthetic strategies for the preparation of multifunctional polymers are presented in which the key element is the functionality of homoserine lactone. First, the synthesis of a bis cyclic coupler based on a thiolactone and homoserine lactone is displayed.

Enhanced hydrolytic degradation of heterografted polyglycidols: phosphonoethylated monoester and polycaprolactone grafts.

Novel biodegradable materials with tunable hydrolytic degradation rate are prepared by grafting of phosphonoethylated polyglycidols with polyesters. First, the hydrolytically degradable polyester grafts are attached to polyglycidols partially grafted with phosphonoethylated diethyl esters through chemical-catalyzed grafting using tin(II) octanoate, then the diethyl ester groups are chemoselectively converted to the corresponding monoester (mixed phosphonate/phosphonic acid) using alkali metal halides. The products are characterized by means of (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P NMR spectroscopy, as well as size-exclusion chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry.