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. A poly(oligo(alkylene glycol))isocyanopeptide comprising repeating units of an isocyano di-, tri-, or tetra peptidic motif substituted at its C terminal via an ester linkage to an oligo(alkylene glycol) chain haying from 1 to 10 alkylene glycol repeating units, with the proviso that the poly(oligo(alkylene glycol))isocyanopeptide does not comprise a triazole moiety.
2. The poly(oligo(alkylene glycol))isocyanopeptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptidic motif is a dipeptide.
3. The poly(oligo(alkylene glycol))isocyanopeptide of claim 1 , wherein the oligo(alkylene glycol) is oligo(ethylene glycol).
4. A poly(oligo(alkylene glycol))isocyanopeptide comprising repeating units of an isocyano di-, tri-, or tetra- peptide motif substituted at its C terminal via an ester linkage to an oligo(alkylene glycol) chain having from one (1) to ten (10) alkylene glycol repeating units, wherein the poly(oligo(alkylene glycol))isocyanopeptide satisfies the formula
wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 4 and m is an integer of up to 100,000.
5. A hydrogel comprising the poly(oligo(alkylene glycol))isocyanopeptide of claim 1 .
6. A hydrogel comprising the poly(oligo(alkylene glycol))isocyanopeptide of claim 4 .
7. A coating comprising the poly(oligo(alkylene glycol))isocyanopeptide of claim 1 .
8. A coating comprising poly(oligo(alkylene glycol))isocyanopeptide of claim 4 .