Polyglyoxylates, manufacture and use thereof
AssigneeThe University of Western Ontario
InventorsElizabeth R. GILLIES, Bo FAN, Andrew D. WONG, John F. TRANT
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Abstract
Self-immolative polymers degrade by an end-to-end depolymerization mechanism in response to the cleavage of a stabilizing end-cap from the polymer terminus. Examples include homopolymers, mixed polymers including block copolymers, suitable for a variety of applications. A polyglyoxylate can be end-capped or capped with a linker as in a block copolymer.
Claims33
A capped polymer comprising a polyglyoxylate polymer having a cap covalently linked to an end thereof, wherein the cap is selected such that upon exposure to a preselected stimulus, covalent linkage of the cap to the polymer is cleaved in preference to cleavage of bonds of the polyacetal backbone of the polymer.
15-19. (canceled)
A block copolymer comprising first and second blocks, the first block being a polyglyoxylate polymer wherein:
- the blocks are linked to each other by a linker covalently attached to the first and second blocks;
- and upon exposure to a preselected stimulus, the covalent linkage of the linker to the first block is cleaved in preference to cleavage of bonds of the polyacetal backbone of the polymer of the first block.
26-29. (canceled)
A method of making a polymer, the method comprising:
- (1) oxidizing the 2,3-double bond of an ester of fumaric acid, maleic acid, or a combination thereof to form the corresponding oxoacetate;
- and
- (2) polymerizing the oxoacetate to form a polymer having a polyacetal backbone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.