Biocompatible single-chain polymeric nanoparticles via organo-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization

Abstract

This study presents a novel approach to synthesize biocompatible single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPN) under mild reaction conditions via organo-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP). Linear polymeric precursors containing pendent polymerizable caprolactone groups, made by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, were intramolecularly cross-linked via ROP in the presence of benzyl alcohol (nucleophilic initiator) and methanesulfonic acid (organo catalyst) to form discrete, well-defined SCPN, as confirmed by GPC, DLS, 1H NMR, and AFM analysis. The formed SCPN are tunable in size (2-5 nm), depending on the molecular weight of the parent linear macromo..