Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026

A Facile and Efficient Approach for the Production of Reversible Disulfide Cross-linked Micelles
Published on: December 23, 2016
Redox-Responsive Micelles with Cores Crosslinked via Click Chemistry
Xiaojin Zhang1, Hui Dong1, Shuangli Fu1
1Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
Abstract:
Redox-responsive micelles with cores crosslinked via click chemistry are developed to improve the stability of polymer micelles. Amphiphilic block copolymer mPEG-b-P(DTC-ADTC) with pendant azido groups on the hydrophobic chains is synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of 2,2-bis(azidomethyl)trimethylene carbonate (ADTC) and 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) with monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) as an initiator. mPEG-b-P(DTC-ADTC) self-assemble to form the micelles in aqueous solution and the cores of the micelles are crosslinked via click chemistry to afford redox-responsive core-crosslinked micelles. Core-crosslinking enhances the stability of the micelles in aqueous solution and improve the drug-loading property. The redox-responsive core-crosslinked micelles can be reduced by the addition of reducing agents such as dithiothreitol (DTT), and thus release the loaded drug quickly in the presence of DTT.
Related Concept Videos
Redox Reactions
Redox Reactions
Redox Equilibria: Overview
Redox Titration: Overview
Micelles
Redox Titration: Other Oxidizing and Reducing Agents

