Raja Shunmugam

Metal–Ligand-Containing Polymers: Terpyridine as the Supramolecular Unit

New and interesting properties can be obtained from macromolecular architectures functionalized with supramolecular moieties, particularly metal-ligand complexes. Self-assembly, based on the selective control of noncovalent interactions, guides the creation of hierarchically ordered materials providing access to novel structures and new properties. This field has expanded significantly in the last two decades, and one of the most ubiquitous functionalities is terpyridine. Despite its wide-spread use, much basic knowledge regarding the binding of terpyridine with metal ions remains unknown. Here, the binding constants of PEG-substituted terpyridine in relation to other literature reports are studied and a few examples of supramolecular materials from our laboratory are summarized.

Norbornene Derived Doxorubicin Copolymers as Drug Carriers with pH Responsive Hydrazone Linker

The synthesis and complete characterization of both norbornene-derived doxorubicin (mono 1) and polyethylene glycol (mono 2) monomers are clearly described, and their copolymerization by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) to get the block copolymer (COPY-DOX) is vividly elaborated. The careful design of these conjugates exhibits properties like well-shielded drug moieties and well-defined nanostructures; additionally, they show solubility in both water and biological medium and also have the important tendency of rendering acid-triggered drug release. The drug release profile suggests the importance of having the hydrazone linker that helps to release the drug exactly at the mild acidic conditions resembling the pH of the cancerous cells. It is also observed that the drug release from micelles of COPY-DOX is significantly accelerated at a mildly acidic pH of 5.5-6, compared to the physiological pH of 7.4, suggesting the pH-responsive feature of the drug delivery system with hydrazone linkages. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) measurements indicate that these COPY-DOX micelles are easily internalized by living cells. MTT assays against HeLa and 4T cancer cells showing COPY-DOX micelles have a high anticancer efficacy. All of these results demonstrate that these polymeric micelles that self-assembled from COPY-DOX block copolymers have great scope in the world of medicine, and they also symbolize promising carriers for the pH-triggered intracellular delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drugs.

Room temperature magnetic materials from nanostructured diblock copolymers

Nanostructured magnetic materials are important for many advanced applications. Consequently, new methods for their fabrication are critical. However, coupling self-assembly to the generation of magnetic materials in a simple, straight-forward manner has remained elusive. Although several approaches have been considered, most have multiple processing steps, thus diminishing their use of self-assembly to influence magnetic properties. Here we develop novel block copolymers that are preprogrammed with the necessary chemical information to microphase separate and deliver room temperature ferromagnetic properties following a simple heat treatment. The importance of the nanostructured confinement is demonstrated by comparison with the parent homopolymer, which provides only paramagnetic materials, even though it is chemically identical and has a higher loading of the magnetic precursor. In addition to the room temperature ferromagnetic properties originating from the block copolymer, the in situ generation densely functionalizes the surface of the magnetic elements, rendering them oxidatively stable.

Unique emission from norbornene derived terpyridine—a selective chemodosimeter for G-type nerve agent surrogates

A new chemodosimeter for a G-type agent that exploits norbornene derived terpyridine (NDT)-lanthanide unique emission is reported. The unusual emission between terpyridine and norbornene motifs of NDT is attributed to the significant difference in the position of the HOMO and LUMO wave functions that prevents the non-radiative relaxation pathway. An interesting magenta emission from NDT along with Eu(III) is utilized as a new fluorometric chemodosimeter that selectively detects (by changing the observed magenta emission to blue) G-type agent surrogates. A detection limit of 40 ppb is obtained and the selectivity for reactive surrogates over a variety of other close chemical analogs is demonstrated.

Magnetic Norbornene Polymer as Multiresponsive Nanocarrier for Site Specific Cancer Therapy

A site-specific, stimuli-responsive nanocarrier has been synthesized by conjugating folate, magnetic particles and doxorubicin to the backbone of norbornene polymer. Monomers, namely, cis-5-norbornene-6-(diethoxyphosphoryl)hexanote (mono 1), norbornene grafted poly(ethyleneglycol)-folate (mono 2), and norbornene derived doxorubicin (mono 3) are carefully designed to demonstrate the smart nanorcarrier capabilities. The synthesis and complete characterization of all three monomers are elaborately discussed. Their copolymerization is done by controlled/living ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) to get the triblock copolymer PHOS-FOL-DOX. NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography confirm the formation of the triblock copolymer, while FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, along with transmission electron microscope confirm the anchoring of iron particle (Fe3O4) to the PHOS-FOL-DOX. Drug release profile shows the importance of having the hydrazone linker that helps to release the drug exactly at the mild acidic conditions resembling the pH of the cancerous cells. The newly designed nanocarrier shows greater internalization (about 8 times) due to magnetic field. Also, increased intracellular DOX release is observed due to the folate receptor. From these results, it is clear that PHOS-FOL-DOX has the potential to act as a smart nanoreservoir with the magnetic field guidance, folate receptor targeting, and finally pH stimulation.

Polycarbonate-based biodegradable copolymers for stimuli responsive targeted drug delivery

The need for efficient nanoscale polymeric systems that elegantly target cancer-affected areas in the body has arisen, since drug efficacy is mostly disturbed by nonspecific cell and tissue biodistribution. Motivated by the challenges, we have developed a novel tumour-targeting polymeric nanocarrier using polylactide and polycarbonate as the polymeric backbone. Biotin and doxorubicin are covalently attached to the poylmeric backbone using a combination of ring opening polymerisation and click chemistry. All the monomers and polymers are characterised carefully through standard analytical techniques. The self-assembly behaviour of these copolymers is studied through DLS and FE-SEM analysis. Doxorubicin release from the copolymer backbone is pH-dependent owing to the unique oxime linker. Cell culture studies of the biotin and doxorubicin-conjugated nanocarrier [Bt-(PE-PA-PC)-DRoxm] exhibited higher intracellular doxorubicin accumulation at cancer cells. The newly developed polymeric nanocarrier could open a new avenue for cancer therapy, due to its unique design as well as, most importantly, its biocompatible and biodegradable nature.

Norbornene-Derived Poly-d-lysine Copolymers as Quantum Dot Carriers for Neuron Growth

Synthesis of norbornene derived phosphonate (1), poly-D-lysine (2), and phopholipid (3) monomers and their complete characterizations are studied. Ring-opening metathesis polymerizations (ROMP) of monomers (1-3) produce well-defined copolymers, CP(1) and CP(2). (1)H NMR along with FT-IR spectroscopy characterization confirms the copolymer formation, while gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis suggests the formation of polymers with fairly narrow molecular weight distributions. Upon following the well-known ligand exchange methods these copolymers produce CdSe-bound copolymers, CP(3) and CP(4). Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy measures the size of these CdSe bound copolymers, while (31)P NMR suggests the formation of CP(3) and CP(4). The results from the experiments of these copolymers on Neuro2A cells suggest that the novel PDL-anchored nanomaterial show their ability to polarize neuronal growth and differentiation.

Increased Bioavailability of Rifampicin from Stimuli-Responsive Smart Nano Carrier

Stimuli responsive polymeric nanocarrier (RCOP-2) functionalized with frontline antituberculosis drug (Rifampicin) is demonstrated for sustained release. Bioavailability of Rifampicin is taken care of by conjugating this drug through a acylhydrazine linker to the polymeric backbone. The poly(ethylene glycol) structural motif is introduced in the copolymer architecture for water solubility. Releasing retinal along with Rifampicin is hypothesized to reduce the risk of side effects due to Rifampicin. The self-assembly of RCOP-2, due to the amphiphilicity present in the copolymer, is explored in detail. The pH responsiveness of RCOP-2 is demonstrated in mild acidic environment as well as in cell lines. The 4T cell line, due to its acidic nature, shows time-dependent cellular internalization. On the basis of the results, our unique design is expected to provide an increased bioavalaibility of Rifampicin with reduced side effects. From the flow cytometry results on A549 cell lines, it is clear that the newly designed copolymer RCOP-2 can internalize efficiently and serve as an effective Rifampicin delivery system.

A unique polymeric nano-carrier for anti-tuberculosis therapy

A nano-carrier made of a norbornene derived isoniazid copolymer is designed. In vitro cytotoxicity assay and renal clearance analysis clearly indicate that the newly designed nano-carrier is biocompatible in nature. This nano-carrier with a hydrazone linker is shown to be a promising reservoir with excellent performance for an efficient drug delivery system. Moreover, the system also offers an effective strategy and new modalities for the development of TB therapy.

A unique polymeric gel by thiol–alkyne click chemistry

Poly(ethylene glycol) functionalized with tetra-acetylene (PTETACT) and pentaerythritol (3-mercaptopropionic acid) (PETM) are cross-linked by a thiol–yne reaction to create robust, tuneable networks. A new class of unique gels is produced by gelations in various organic solvents as well as water. This is the first report of creating 3D gel networks by a thiol–alkyne reaction in the presence of triethylamine under moderate temperature.