Synthesis of hydrolytically and oxidation-responsive networks using thiol-ene click chemistry with pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) and tri/tetra-acrylates

Thiol-ene click reactions of pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) with pentaerythritol tetraacrylate and trimethylolpropane triacrylate were used to prepare polymeric degradable networks. The structure and properties of these networks were studied using Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Degradation of these materials was evaluated in different media including phosphate buffer with and without esterase as well as in oxidative environment with hydrogen peroxide. Exposure of the samples to these media results in their degradation. Slow hydrolytic degradation was observed in phosphate buffer and it was not accelerated by the presence of an enzyme. Faster degradation is observed in solutions of hydrogen peroxide. The mechanisms of this degradation are discussed.

Automated summary

The structure and properties of polymeric degradable networks prepared using thiol-ene click reactions were studied, as well as their degradation in different media. Slow hydrolytic degradation was observed in phosphate buffer, while faster degradation was observed in hydrogen peroxide solutions.