Christine Mangold

Multifunctional Poly(ethylene glycol)s

In the rapidly evolving multidisciplinary field of polymer therapeutics, tailored polymer structures represent the key constituent to explore and harvest the potential of bioactive macromolecular hybrid structures. In light of the recent developments for anticancer drug conjugates, multifunctional polymers are becoming ever more relevant as drug carriers. However, the potentially best suited polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), is unfavorable owing to its limited functionality. Therefore, multifunctional linear copolymers (mf-PEGs) based on ethylene oxide (EO) and appropriate epoxide comonomers are attracting increased attention. Precisely engineered via living anionic polymerization and defined with state-of-the-art characterization techniques-for example real-time (1)H NMR spectroscopy monitoring of the EO polymerization kinetics-this emerging class of polymers embodies a powerful platform for bio- and drug conjugation.

Functional PEG-based polymers with reactive groups via anionic ROP of tailor-made epoxides

In this review article functional epoxide monomers that are suitable for controlled ring-opening polymerization (ROP) are discussed. Functional epoxides possess reactive groups, which either are directly accessible or carry suitable protective groups that can be removed in a facile one-step reaction after polymerization. The methods used to obtain linear, functional aliphatic polyethers rely on living polymerization techniques for the synthesis of well-defined structures. Materials properties, such as thermo-responsive behavior in combination with different functional groups that can be addressed selectively, render these novel materials interesting for a variety of applications.

Hetero-Multifunctional Poly(ethylene glycol) Copolymers with Multiple Hydroxyl Groups and a Single Terminal Functionality.

Hetero-multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol-co-glycerol) random copolymers with multiple hydroxyl functionalities and a single terminal functionality have been prepared by copolymerization of ethylene oxide (EO) and ethoxy ethyl glycidyl ether (EEGE) with the use of a suitable initiator, introducing a protected amino group or a double bond, respectively. Acidic deprotection was used for removal of the acetal protecting groups in the chain, and the terminal amino group was regenerated by catalytic hydrogenation. A series of copolymers with narrow polydispersity was obtained, varying comonomer fractions from 3 to 67% and molecular weights in the range of 5 000-32 000 g · mol(-1) (1.05 < 

From an Epoxide Monomer Toolkit to Functional PEG Copolymers With Adjustable LCST Behavior

\overline M _{\rm w} /\overline M _{\rm n}

PEG-based Multifunctional Polyethers with Highly Reactive Vinyl-Ether Side Chains for Click-Type Functionalization

 < 1.25). Molecular and thermal characterization was carried out using (1) H- and (13) C NMR, SEC and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Functional Poly(ethylene glycol) : PEG-Based Random Copolymers with 1,2-Diol Side Chains and Terminal Amino Functionality

The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior of novel poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based copolymers bearing multiple functional groups, obtained by anionic ring-opening (co)polymerization (AROP), has been investigated. Variable comonomer ratios of ethylene oxide (EO) and the corresponding oxiranes isopropylidene glyceryl glycidyl ether (IGG), ethoxyl vinyl glycidyl ether (EVGE), allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), or N,N-dibenzyl amino glycidyl (DBAG), particularly designed to implement functional groups at the PEG backbone, were found to influence the LCST behavior. Sharp transitions from translucent to opaque solutions, comparable to other well-established stimuli-responsive polymers, were observed at temperatures ranging from 9 to 82 °C. The influence of the side group hydrophobicity could be quantified by the comparison of the different copolymer systems observed.