Dendrimers are synthetic polymers with a branched, treelike structure. The molecular architecture of dendrimers results in polymers that are well defined in their size and number of terminal groups. The nature of the terminal groups determines the particular dendrimer shape, stability, conformational rigidity or flexibility, and viscosity. Dendrimers contain arms, which are uniformly centered on the dendrimer core. The number of arms on a dendrimer is proportional to the dendrimer generation. We have designed and synthesized various ligands to conjugate the dendrimer arms that will serve as unique attachment points for functionally relevant molecules, such as stimuli-response polymers (SRPs) used for drug encapsulation and delivery. We will attach the SRPs to the dendrimer via click-chemistry ligands.  To that end we have synthesized 3-(4-(2-chloroethoxy)phenyl)propanoate, 3-(4-(prop-2-ynyloxy)phenyl)propanoate and 3-(4-(allyloxy)phenyl)propanoic acid as click chemistry ligands. These ligands are synthesized from the same starting material methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate, which then is reacted with propargyl bromide, allyl bromide, and sodium azide respectively to synthesize the ligands with an alkyne, alkene, or azide click chemistry functionality. The carboxy ends of these ligands have been conjugated to the hydroxy termini of the bis-MPA (Bis 2-2 hydroxymethylpropionic acid) dendrimer arms using EDC coupling chemistry.  The results of the ligand syntheses and the conjugation reaction were verified by <sup>1</sup>H NMR. These dendrimer ligand complexes will then be attached to a stimuli response linear block-copolymer. We predict that the precisely defined dendrimer-ligand-SPR will be able to encapsulate drugs and selectively distribute drugs with greater efficiency than free SRPs alone. These stimuli-responsive polymers can potentially be innovative nanomaterials in therapeutic drug-delivery.<br/>

Synthesis of stimuli-response nanomaterials as potential drug-delivery agents

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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