American Chemical Society, Biomacromolecules, 10(16), p. 3297-3307, 2015
DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b00951
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The cationic ring-opening copolymerization of 3,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)oxetane (BHMO) with glycidol using different comonomer ratios (BHMO content from 25-90%) and BF3OEt2 as an initiator has been studied. Apparent molecular weights of the resulting hyperbranched polyether copolymers ranged from 1400 to 3300 g mol-1 (PDI: 1.21-1.48; method: SEC, linear PEG standards). Incorporation of both comonomers is evidenced by MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy. All hyper¬branched polyether polyols with high content of primary hydroxyl groups portray good solubility in water, which correlates with an increasing content of glycerol units. Detailed NMR characterization was employed to elucidate the copolymer micro¬structures. Kinetic studies via FTIR demonstrated a weak gradient-type character of the copolymers. MTT assays of the copolymers (up to 100 µg mL-1) on HEK and fibroblast cell lines (3T3, L929, WEHI) as well as viability tests on the fibroblast cells were carried out to assess the biocompatibility of the materials, confirming excellent biocompatibility. Transfection efficiency characterization by flow cytometry and confocal laser microscopy demonstrated cellular uptake of the copolymers. Anti-adhesive properties of the materials on surfaces were assessed by adhesion assays with fibroblast cells.