Synthesis and characterization of Eu(III) complexes of modified d-glucosamine and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide).

A series of chain-end functional polymers composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranose(d-glucosamine, GA) was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Novel fluorescent complexes of glucosamine-PNI- PAM/Eu(III) were then formed by chelation of the polymers and europium(III) ions. The aqueous solutions of the polymers and its Eu(III) complexes exhibited a lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs), and which were approximately equal to body temperature. Cell viability assays suggested that these thermosensitive polymers and Eu(III) complexes showed excellent biocompatibility in vitro.