Polymers and Sulfur: what are Organic Polysulfides Good For? Preparative Strategies and Biological Applications.

Sulfur(II)-containing polymers (polysulfides) combine flexible synthetic and processing techniques with a unique responsiveness to oxidants. Here, the polysulfide oxidative sensitivity is put into the biological context of the development of new anti-inflammatory therapies - the development of new anti-inflammatory methodologies, adopted interactions and the minimisation of foreign-body reactions - through the review of 50 years of research on polysulfide synthetic methodologies. Attention is paid to the identification of the most flexible and robust preparative techniques.

Probing (macro)molecular transport through cell walls.

We here report a study on the passive permeability of hydrophobic probes through the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study we have prepared a series of fluorescent probes with similar chemical composition and molecular weight ranging from a few hundreds to a few thousands of g mol(-1). Their permeation into the cell body exhibits a clear MW cut-off and the underlying mechanism is governed by the permeation of individual molecules rather than aggregates.

Emulsion macromonomer cross-linking. A preparative method for oxidation-responsive nanoparticles with a controlled network structure.

We here report on a preparative, template-based method for oxidation-responsive, poly(propylene sulfide) cross-linked nanoparticles. In this study we demonstrate that preformed, narrow polydispersity, and end-functional polysulfides can be dispersed to yield stable emulsions, which can then be converted into stable nanoparticles through photochemically initiated cross-linking. The nanoparticle size is substantially templated on that of the precursor emulsions; the nanoparticles bulk is an elastomeric material with a homogeneous cross-linking density.

Synthesis and properties of amphiphilic star polysulfides.

We here present the synthesis and characterisation of linear and star-shaped amphiphilic block copolymers based on hydrophobic polysulfides (poly(propylene sulfide), PPS) and hydrophilic polyethers (poly(ethylene glycol), PEG). We also discuss the proof of the principle of their responsiveness to oxidising conditions. In a water environment, these polymers aggregate in the form of sub-micron carriers that, due to the sensitivity to oxidation reactions typical of PPS, can be used for responsive drug delivery.