Polylactide (PLA) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide using a protected diol (3-(Benzyloxy)-1,2-propanediol) initiator and stannous octanoate catalyst.  The resulting PLA has terminal secondary alcohols and a central benzyl ether group, which can be deprotected to yield a primary alcohol.  Three lengths of PLA were synthesized and confirmed by <sup>1</sup>H NMR integration and GPC.  Conjugation of mono-functionalized dextran to the terminal alcohols of the PLAs yielded biocompatible tri-block copolymers (dextran-PLA-dextran), improving the water solubility of PLA. Due to the amphiphilic nature of the tri-block copolymers, they are hypothesized to self-assemble into polymersomes.  Dynamic Light Scattering will be used to measure the initial size and monitor the kinetics of the subsequent degradation of the polymersomes.  Such a polymersome can be used to deliver hydrophilic drugs through encapsulation and hydrophobic drugs by direct conjugation to the deprotected central alcohol of the PLA.  Drug release is expected to be controlled by the degradation of the polymersome due to hydrolysis of the PLA.     <br/>

Tri-block copolymer self-assembles and biodegrades for drug delivery

255th National Meeting (2018)

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