Amphiphilic well‐defined degradable star block copolymers by combination of ring‐opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization: Synthesis and application as drug delivery carriers

• Published in: Journal of polymer science (2020) Vol. 59; no. 3; pp. 211 - 229
• Main Authors: Oliveira, Andreia S. R., Mendonça, Patrícia V., Simões, Sérgio, Serra, Arménio C., Coelho, Jorge F. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-02-2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: atom transfer radical polymerization; Biodegradability; Biomedical materials; Block copolymers; Chemical synthesis; Chemotherapy; degradable polymers; drug delivery; Photodynamic therapy; Polymerization; Polymers; Radicals; Ring opening polymerization; star block copolymers
• ISSN: 2642-4150; 2642-4169
• DOI: 10.1002/pol.20200802

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is one of the most popular advanced polymerization techniques in macromolecular science, allowing the synthesis of tailor‐made polymers with controlled molecular weight, architecture, composition, and functionality. The combination of ATRP and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) provides a straightforward route for the preparation of polymers exhibiting both targeted and well‐defined features and biodegradability, which is very interesting for the development of new materials for biomedical applications. Among the different types of polymer architectures, amphiphilic star block copolymers (BCPs) represent a very attractive one, due to their high degree of functionality at the molecular surface, low hydrodynamic volume and higher encapsulation ability, compared to molecular systems based on linear polymers. This review article highlights the research focused on the synthesis of amphiphilic well‐defined degradable star BCPs by combination of ROP and ATRP, with particular focus on the development of polymers for biomedical applications, such as anticancer drug delivery, diagnosis therapy, or photodynamic therapy, which is the most investigated field regarding these polymers.
The combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) provides a straight forward route for the preparation of amphiphilic star block copolymers. With well‐defined features and biodegradability, these polymers are promising candidates for the development of new materials for biomedical applications.