Interest in poly(2-oxazolines) has undergone a revival in recent years, although this renewed enthusiasm has been almost exclusively confined to linear and branched copolymers, while relatively little research has been reported for crosslinked networks. Poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)s are an ideal basis for hydrogel materials as they have high hydrophilicity, resist non-specific protein adsorption and most importantly can be copolymerized rapidly and in high yield. In this paper we report the synthesis a copolymer of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline and 2-decenyl-2-oxazoline using microwave heating followed by crosslinking of the pendent alkene groups with 1,4-dithiothreitol via thiol-ene photochemistry in water. The optimum photoinitiator (Irgacure2959) concentration was determined by monitoring the amount of unreacted thiol groups over time for different photoinitiator concentrations. Hydrogel discs were synthesized and exhibited rapid swelling in aqueous conditions, excellent optical clarity and quantitative release of the model protein, cytochrome C suggesting poly(2-oxazoline) hydrogels should be investigated further as materials for regenerative medicine.

Hydrogels from poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)-<i>co</i>-(2-decenyl-2-oxazoline) via thiol-ene photocuring

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Hydrogels from poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)-co-(2-decenyl-2-oxazoline) via thiol-ene photocuring