Poly(phosphoester)s via Olefin Metathesis

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Frederik Wurm
• Subject Area: Polymer Materials
• Term: from 2014 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 251079065

This proposal describes the synthesis of several polyphosphoesters (PPEs) via olefin metathesis reactions. The aim of this proposal is to achieve control over molecular architecture and microstructure to control the degradation kinetics of this highly promising polymer class with respect to bioapplications. Linear poly(phosphate)s and -phosphonates will be synthesized via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization. Especially the synthesis of the poly(phosphonate)s is of high interest due to the altered hydrolysis kinetics compared to poly(phosphate)s and ADMET allows access to this class of polymers for the first time in a systematic manner. Further, the architecture will be altered by introducing branches in the polymer backbone. Different pathways for a branching ADMET polymerization (AB2, A2+B3 or B3 approaches) will be investigated to design PPEs with a variable degree of branching. All these novel materials will be applied for the synthesis of degradable nanoparticles that can be loaded with drugs etc. and tested in vitro.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants