Synthesis of amphiphilic [PEO(PCL)₂] triarm star-shaped block copolymers: a promising system for in cell delivery.

The paper reports on a simple method of synthesizing [PEO(PCL)(2)] triarm star-shaped copolymers by a combination of Michael-addition type reaction and ring-opening polymerization. A Michael-addition reaction yielded a PEO end-capped by two hydroxyl groups-a [PEO(OH)(2)] macroinitiator-which was used for sequential building of PCL blocks. The macroinitiator and copolymers were analyzed by FTIR, (1)H NMR spectroscopy and SEC.