We have previously found that the degradation and properties of poly(α-hydroxy acid)s, which are commonly used in bioengineering applications such as drug delivery and scaffolding, depends on sequence. Periodic copolymers have been found to exhibit markedly different behaviors when compared with each other and with fully random analogues. To more precisely probe the effects of sequence fidelity/errors in these materials, we have prepared a precisely sequenced cyclic macromonomer, <b>Cyc-SyLMLGLGL </b>(Cyc = cyclic; Sy = syringic acid; L = L-lactic acid; G = glycolic acid; M = olefin-containing linker), as well as a controlled random macrocycle containing the same “linker” sequence (SyLM) but with a random sequence pentamer of the same L:G composition. These macromonomers were polymerized to identical molecular weight and cast as films from solution. The films were subjected to <i>in vitro</i> hydrolysis conditions (pH = 7.4, 37 °C). Molecular weight decrease, mass loss, thermal characteristics, photographs of whole samples, and SEM images were acquired over a period of 10 weeks.

Effect of minor sequence errors on the degradation behavior and properties of biodegradable periodic poly(α-hydroxy acid)s

256th National Meeting (2018)

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