METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT OLIGO(ALKYLENE GLYCOL) FUNCTIONALIZED POLYISOCYANOPEPTIDES
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of oligo(alkylene glycol)-functionalized polyisocyanopeptides comprising the steps of functionalizing an isocyanopeptide with oligo-(alkylene glycol) side chains and subsequently polymerizing the oligo-alkylene glycol-functionalized isocyanopeptides. Several isocyanopeptides may be functionalized with various linear or non-linear oligo-(alkylene glycol) side chains having variable chain length. The alkylene glycol may be selected from the group consisting of ethylene-, propylene-, butylene- or pentylene glycol. Preferably, the isocyanopeptides are functionalized with at least three ethylene glycol side chains. The peptides may comprise L-amino acids, D-amino acids or D, L-amino acids. The obtained oligoalkylene-functionalized polyisocyanopeptides are a new class of materials with unique thermo-responsive properties.
1 .- 13 . (canceled)
14 . A poly[oligo(alkylene glycol)]isocyanopeptide having a degree of polymerization of more than 1500.
15 . The poly[oligo(alkylene glycol)]isocyanopeptide of claim 14 , wherein the isocyanopeptide is an isocyanodipeptide.
16 . The poly[oligo(alkylene glycol)]isocyanopeptide of claim 14 , wherein several isocyanopeptides are functionalized with different oligo-(alkylene glycol) side chains having a variable chain length.
17 . The poly[oligo(alkylene glycol)]isocyanopeptide of claim 14 , wherein the alkylene glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene-, propylene-, butylene- or pentylene glycol.
18 . The poly[oligo(alkylene glycol)]isocyanopeptide of claim 17 , wherein the alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol.
19 . The poly[oligo(alkylene glycol)]isocyanopeptide of claim 19 , wherein the isocyanopeptide is functionalized with at least three ethylene glycol side chains.
20 . The poly[oligo(alkylene glycol)]isocyanopeptide of claim 14 , wherein the isocyanopeptide monomer comprises D-, L- or D- and L-amino acids.
21 . A hydrogel comprising the poly[oligo(alkylene glycol)]isocyanopeptide of claim 14 .
22 . A coating comprising the poly[oligo(alkylene glycol)]isocyanopeptide of claim 14 .