Methods for the formation of hydrogels using thiosulfonate compositions and uses thereof
View Patent ↗The present invention provides both crosslinked polymer compositions capable of forming hydrogels upon exposure to an aqueous environment and thiosulfonate hydrogel-forming components. The thiosulfonate hydrogel-forming components of the invention are preferably multi-arm thiosulfonate polymer derivatives that form a crosslinked polymer composition when exposed to a base without requiring the presence of a second cross-linking reagent, redox catalyst, or radiation. Methods for forming hydrogel compositions, as well as methods for using the hydrogels, are also provided.
1. A compound having the formula:
wherein POLY is a water-soluble polymer, (n) is 3 to about 25, X is a linking group, Y is a moiety derived from a molecule having at least three nucleophilic groups, and R is an organic radical.
2. The compound of claim 1 , wherein the water-soluble polymer is a poly(ethylene glycol).
3. The compound of claim 1 , wherein (n) is 3 to 10.
4. The compound of claim 3 , wherein (n) is 3.
5. The compound of claim 3 , wherein (n) is 4.
6. The compound of claim 3 , wherein (n) is 5.
7. The compound of claim 6 , wherein (n) is 6.
8. The compound of claim 1 , wherein the organic radical is alkyl or aryl.
9. The compound of claim 1 , wherein the organic radical is methyl.
10. The compound of claim 1 , wherein the organic radical is phenyl.
11. The compound of claim 2 , wherein the poly(ethylene glycol) has a molecular weight of from 200 Da to about 20,000 Daltons.
12. The compound of claim 11 , wherein the poly(ethylene glycol) has a molecular weight of from 500 Da to about 15,000 Daltons.
13. The compound of claim 11 , wherein the poly(ethylene glycol) has a molecular weight of from 600 Da to about 6,000 Daltons.
14. The compound of claim 1 , wherein the molecule having at least three nucleophilic groups is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, oligoglycerols, pentaerythritol, carbohydrates, and cyclodextrin.
15. The compound of claim 1 , wherein the molecule having at least three nucleophilic groups is glycerol.
16. The compound of claim 1 , wherein the molecule having at least three nucleophilic groups is an oligoglycerol.
17. The compound of claim 1 , wherein the molecule having at least three nucleophilic groups is
18. The compound of claim 1 , wherein the molecule having at least three nucleophilic groups is pentaerythritol.
19. The compound of claim 1 , wherein the molecule having at least three nucleophilic groups is 1,2,3-propane-triamine.