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Synthesis and Characterization of Well-Defined PEGylated Polypeptoids as Protein-Resistant Polymers
Published
Author(s)
Sunting Xuan, Sudipta Gupta, Xin Li, Markus Bleuel, Gerald J. Schneider, Donghui Zhang
Abstract
Well-defined polypeptoids bearing oligomeric ethylene glycol side chains PNMe(OEt)nG (n = 1-3) with controlled molecular weight (3.26-28.6 kg/mol) and narrow molecular distribution (polydispersity index, PDI = 1.03-1.10) have been synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of the corresponding N-carboxyanhydride monomers having oligomeric ethylene glycol side chains (Me(OEt)n-NCA, n = 1-3) using primary amine initiators. Kinetic studies of polymerization revealed a first-order dependence on the monomer concentration, consistent with a living polymerization. The obtained PEGylated polypeptoids are highly hydrophilic with good water solubility (> 200 mg/mL) and are amorphous with the glass transition temperature (Tg) in -41.1-46.4 °C range that increases with increasing molecular weight and decreasing side chain length. The DLS and SANS analysis revealed no appreciable adsorption of lysozyme to PNMeOEtG. PNMeOEtG having different molecular weight exhibited minimal cytotoxicity towards HEp2 cells. These combined results suggest the potential use of PEGylated polypeptoids as antifouling materials in the biomedical and biotechnological field.
Xuan, S.
, Gupta, S.
, Li, X.
, Bleuel, M.
, Schneider, G.
and Zhang, D.
(2017),
Synthesis and Characterization of Well-Defined PEGylated Polypeptoids as Protein-Resistant Polymers, Biomacromolecules, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=922550
(Accessed October 21, 2025)