Aza-Michael Addition Reaction: Post-Polymerization Modification and Preparation of PEI/PEG-Based Polyester Hydrogels from Enzymatically Synthesized Reactive Polymers

The utility of aza-Michael addition chemistry for post-polymerization functionalization of enzymatically prepared polyesters is established. For this, itaconate ester and oligo-ethylene glycol are selected as monomers. A Candida Antarctica lipase B catalyzed polycondensation reaction between the two monomers provides the polyesters, which carry an activated carbon-carbon double bond in the polymer backbone. These electron deficient alkenes represent suitable aza-Michael acceptors and can be engaged in a nucleophilic addition reaction with small molecular mono-amines (aza-Michael donors) to yield functionalized linear polyesters. Employing a poly-amine as the aza-Michael donor, on the other hand, results in the formation of hydrophilic polymer networks. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.