Description
Acrylate-PCL-PEG-PCL-Acrylate is a triblock copolymer with two terminal acrylate groups. The molecular weight of each block is shown in the parenthesis following the name of the block. PCL-PEG-PCL functionalized with acrylate is to prepare biodegradable PEG hydrogels through photopolymerization. Hydrolysis of esters of poly(caprolactone) block degrades the hydrophobic block and the entire crosslinked hydrogel network. Other functionalized PCL-PEG-PCL derivatives with reactive groups at the two terminals of the copolymer may be offered through custom synthesis.
Properties
Molecular weight: MW of PEG was measured by MALDI-MS or GPC. PDI (polydispersity index) of our linear PEG is 1.02-1.05 with very narrow MW distribution. The number of repeating ethylene oxide units (CH2CH2O) or the degree of polymerization is calculated dividing the PEG MW by 44 (44 is the molecular mass of one repeating unit). Similarly to calculate the repeating units of PCL.
Solubility: Soluble in  chloroform, methylene chloride, DMF, DMSO, and less soluble in alcohol, toluene. Not soluble in ether. Depending on the PEG to PCL content, the polymer could be soluble in aqueous solution.
Physical form: PEG products generally appear as white or off-white powder, and for very low MW, it may appear as wax-like, semi-solid material due to the low MW and the type of functional groups.
Storage condition: PEG product shall be stored in the original form as received in a freezer at -20C or lower for long term storage. Stock solution of PEG reagents that do not contain oxygen or moisture sensitive functional groups may be temporarily stored in a refrigerator or ambient temperature for multiple days. Stock solution should avoid repeated freeze-and-thaw cycles. See Documents section for detailed storage and handling conditions.
References
1) Bioerodible Hydrogels Based on Photopolyrneried Poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly( ±-hydroxy acid) Diacrylate Macrorners, Macromolecules, 26, 1993: 581-537, Text.
2) Biodegradable long-circulating polymeric nanospheres. Science 1994;363:1600-3, Text.
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