Thermosensitive and hydrolysis-sensitive poly(organophosphazenes)

Abstract

The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) properties and hydrolytic behaviour of thermosensitive biodegradable polyphosphazenes with monomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol), glycine ethyl ester and depsipeptide ethyl esters substituents have been studied. All the polymers synthesized show LCST properties. The LCSTs of the polymers are affected by the composition of the polymers and increase with the degradation of the polymers in aqueous solution. The higher content of depsipeptide ethyl esters in the polymers accelerates the LCST change and the degradation of the polymers in aqueous solution. Most polymers synthesized have half-lives of less than 10 days in neutral solution. (C) 2002 Society of Chemical Industry.