Silicone elastomers are widely used in a variety of biomaterials applications. Their high hydrophobicity can, in some cases, compromise their utility. Only a few convenient, efficient and metal-free processes are known to introduce hydrophilic groups onto the elastomer surface. We describe the utilization of the metal-free click reaction between azido- and alkynyl-modified silicones to both crosslink and functionalize silicone elastomers. The crosslinking of the two precursors at low temperature, in non-stoichiometric ratios, leads to elastomers that retain residual functional groups, available for sequential functionalization. Efficient grafting of alkyne-functional PEG to azide-rich silicone elastomers yielded materials with improved wettability: contact angles as low as 46� were obtained. Moreover, it is possible modify the entire elastomer body or only the surface by judicious choice of the solvent used for the modification. The synthesis of the precursor molecules, crosslinking, post curing modification and the resulting properties of the various elastomers will be discussed.

Reactive, functional silicone elastomers via metal-free click chemistry

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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