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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
Block copolymers containing dextran and deoxycholic acid polyesters. Synthesis, self-assembly and hydrophobic drug
Magdalena C Stanciu1, Marieta Nichifor1, Georgeta Mocanu1
1Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Grigore Ghica Voda 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania.
Abstract:
New biocompatible amphiphilic block copolymers were prepared using two natural compounds as starting materials, a polysaccharide (dextran) and a bile acid (deoxycholic acid). The copolymers were synthesized by dipolar 1,3-cycloaddition reaction between dextran with azide end groups and deoxycholic acid - oligo(ethylene glycol)s polyester with propargyl end groups. Different copolymer composition were obtained by variation of molecular weights of dextran (Mn 4.5, 8, 15 kDa) and polyester (Mn 2-6 kDa), as well as the length of oligo(ethylene glycol) (2-4 ethylenglycol units) used for polyester synthesis. These copolymers can for micelle like aggregates in aqueous medium with nanometric size (50-600 nm) and spherical form, as assessed by light scattering, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Encapsulation of the hydrophobic drug curcumin in micelles could increase 68,181 times its water solubility, and curcumin release from micelles was slow and with reduced burst effect.
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