PDMAEMA/Polyester Miktopolymers: Synthesis via In-Out Approach, Physicochemical Characterization and Enzymatic Degradation

Synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and the enzymatic degradation of the amphiphilic miktoarm star-shaped polymers is reported herein. First, star-shaped macroinitiators, based on N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and glycerol dimethacrylate (GDMA) ((PDMAEMA)(n)-PGDMA), were synthesized. Due to the presence of hydroxyl groups in the macroinitiator core, polyesters such as poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (P(ɛ-CL)), polylactide (PLA) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) were synthesized using ring opening polymerization (ROP). Comprehensive degradation studies on enzymatic degradation, using a lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia, were performed. Enzymatic degradation was monitored by weight measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H NMR). The fastest degradation rate was observed for the polymer with the lowest molecular weight. Amphiphilic miktopolymers may find application as biomaterials for long- or mid-term period drug-delivery systems.