Self-immolative polymers

J Am Chem Soc. 2008 Apr 23;130(16):5434-5. doi: 10.1021/ja801065d. Epub 2008 Apr 1.

Abstract

Smart polymers are special kinds of polymeric molecules that respond to external stimuli. We have developed a novel smart polymer designed to sequentially disassemble into its building blocks upon initiation by a triggering event at the polymer head. The polymer structure is based on a polyurethane backbone that disassembles through a domino-like, 1,6-elimination and decarboxylation reactions. We synthesized a self-immolative polymer that amplifies a single cleavage reaction into multiple release of fluorogenic molecules and confirmed the head-to-tail disassembly concept. These polymers can be used to prepare highly sensitive molecular sensors with large signal-to-noise ratios. The sensors should be useful for the detection of a wide range of biological and chemical activities through use of the appropriate trigger at the polymer head.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Decarboxylation
  • Dendrimers / chemical synthesis*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Isocyanates / chemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Models, Chemical
  • Polyurethanes / chemistry

Substances

  • Dendrimers
  • Isocyanates
  • Polyurethanes