Segmented poly(ether-ester-amide)s based on poly(L,L-lactide) macromers

Segmented poly(ether-ester-amide)s (PEEAs) were obtained from sebacoyl chlo ride (SEB), alpha,omega -hydroxyl terminated poly(L,L-lactide) (PLLA) or PL LA-PEG-PLLA macromers and the hydrophilic diamines 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tride canediamine (1) and 3,6,9, 12,15-pentoxa-1,17-heptadecanediamine (2) or dia mide-diamines derived from 1 and 2 by inserting Gly-Phe or Gly-Val-Phe sequ ences. The molar ratio macromer/SEB/diamine was 1/2/1. The PEEAs were chara cterized by i.r. and H-1 n.m.r spectroscopy and S.E.C. They are soluble in polar organic solvents and insoluble in water, but show equilibrium water a bsorptions up to 21.0% by wt. All PEEAs are semicrystalline, as shown by d. s.c. and WAXS techniques, with T(m)s ranging from 110 to 135 degreesC. D.s. c. and d.m.t.a. showed a single T-g in the temperature range 31-53 degreesC . Evidence of microphase separation was obtained only for aminoacids contai ning PEEAs by t.e.m.. Biocompatibily was assessed for selected polymers che cking the viability and growth of Caco-2 cells on polymer films. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.