Abstract
An overview of the recent advances of functionalized poly(caprolactone)s (PCL) and their role in micellar drug delivery systems is presented. Various strategies for the functionalization of ε-caprolactone (εCL) and poly(caprolactone)s are discussed together with the approaches for the engineering of PCL-based micellar assemblies. Hydrophilic moieties, halogens, amines, and unsaturated functional groups have been conjugated to PCL by post-polymerization chemical modification. These pendant functional groups were further modified by deprotection, elimination, 1,3-Huisgen cycloaddition, or cross-linking reactions. Alternately, the anionic activation of PCL enabled the post-polymerization grafting of functional groups onto the polyester backbone. Furthermore, special attention has been given to the engineering of micellar cores to enhance their stability and interaction with encapsulated or covalently conjugated drug molecules. The engineering of the micelle hydrophilic block was also explored to achieve active targeting and enhanced cellular uptake. A combination of these strategies enabled the fine-tuning of functionalized PCL copolymers to generate micelles with properties conducive to drug delivery applications. Functionalized PCL represent a promising direction in the development of tunable micellar drug delivery systems.
Keywords: Functional caprolactone, Polymer micelle, Ring-opening polymerization.
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances of Heterocyclic Chemistry with Pesticide Activity
Global food safety and security will continue to be a global concern for the next 50 years and beyond. Plant diseases have had a significant impact on food safety and security throughout the entire food chain, from primary production to consumption. While conventional chemical pesticides have been traditionally used for ...read more
Calculation design of covalent/metal organic framework based catalysts
This research area combines theoretical computation and screening with machine learning for the design of covalent/metal organic framework-based catalysts, bridging the disciplines of organic chemistry, physical chemistry, computational chemistry, materials science, and machine learning. It covers several critical aspects: designing and synthesizing organic catalysts for improved performance, applying computational methods ...read more
Carbohydrates conversion in biofuels and bioproducts
Biomass pretreatment, hydrolysis, and saccharification of carbohydrates, and sugars bioconversion in biofuels and bioproducts within a biorefinery framework. Carbohydrates derived from woody biomass, agricultural wastes, algae, sewage sludge, or any other lignocellulosic feedstock are included in this issue. Simulation, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle analysis of a biorefinery process are ...read more
Catalytic C-H bond activation as a tool for functionalization of heterocycles
The major topic is the functionalization of heterocycles through catalyzed C-H bond activation. The strategies based on C-H activation not only provide straightforward formation of C-C or C-X bonds but, more importantly, allow for the avoidance of pre-functionalization of one or two of the cross-coupling partners. The beneficial impact of ...read more
Related Books
Advances in Organic Synthesis
The Synthetic Methods, Structures, and Properties of the Ca-C σ Bond Organocalcium Containing Compounds
Advances in Organic Synthesis
Chemistry of Bipyrazoles: Synthesis and Applications
Advances in Organic Synthesis
Advanced Nanocatalysis for Organic Synthesis and Electroanalysis
Advances in Organic Synthesis
Advances in Organic Synthesis
20