Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Poly(ethylene glycol) and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation
Published on: October 29, 2013
Studies on functionalization of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) by a cholesteryl moiety
Ling Zhang1, Qing-Rong Wang, Xue-Song Jiang
1Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Abstract:
Biodegradable polymers/oligomers based on epsilon-caprolactone (CL) were end-functionalized by a cholesteryl moiety. The functionalized polymers/oligomers, Chol-(CL)n, were synthesized through ring-opening polymerization initiated by cholesterol with a hydroxyl group. The chemical structure of end-functionalized polymers/oligomers was confirmed by FT-IR and 1H-NMR. The molecular weight of the functionalized polymer/oligomer increases with decreasing feed ratio of the initiator cholesterol to the monomer CL. Incorporation of the cholesteryl moiety to the polymer chain results in liquid crystallinity for the resultant oligomers when their molecular chains are not very long. The enzymatic degradation of the functionalized polymers/oligomers was investigated. The microsphere drug-delivery system of a functionalized oligomer was fabricated and its drug release properties were evaluated. The cell-culture experiment indicates the incorporation of cholesteryl moiety to the polymer chain results in improved cell proliferation.
Related Concept Videos
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis
[3,3] Sigmatropic Rearrangement of Allyl Vinyl Ethers: Claisen Rearrangement
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)
Preparation of Diols and Pinacol Rearrangement
The reaction begins with transferring a proton from the acid catalyst to one of the hydroxyl groups, producing an oxonium ion.
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity
Esters to β-Ketoesters: Claisen Condensation Mechanism

