Design, Synthesis and Assembly of Self-Immolative Linear Block Copolymers

摘要

In many medical applications it would be useful to trigger the degradation of a polymer under specified physiological conditions, initiating the breakdown of a device, scaffold or the release of encapsulated drugs. Self-immolative linear polymers are a promising approach towards achieving this. They comprise a polymer backbone that is stable in the presence of an end cap, but upon removal of the end cap a cascade of reactions is initiated that results in depolymerization. Described here is a general approach to the development of self-immolative linear polymers and block copolymers. The block copolymers formed self-immolative assemblies in aqueous solution, which could encapsulate and subsequently release their contents in a manner.