Amphiphilic star copolymers containing cyclodextrin core and their application as nanocarrier

Amphiphilic copolymers containing beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) core were synthesized successfully. Synthesis was initiated from tosylated cyclodextrin ((Tosyl)(7)-beta-CD) which is containing two types of functional groups. Hydroxyl functional groups of (Tosyl)(7)-beta-CD were used as initiator for ring opening polymerization of lactide. This step led to star polymers containing tosylated cyclodextrin core and polylactide arms (PLA-(Tosyl)(7)-beta-CD). In the next step, tosyl groups of PLA-(Tosyl)(7)-beta-CD were used as initiator for ring opening polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline and amphiphilic copolymers containing cyclodextrin core, PLA and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) arms (PLA-beta-CD-POX) were obtained. Loading of Congo red as guest molecule by amphiphilic copolymers was investigated. The release of guest molecule from chloroform solution of copolymers to water phase was also investigated. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.