2 - Poly[alkylene (arylene) phosphate

Abstract

Methods for preparation of poly[alkylene (arylene) phosphate]s including polymerization of cyclic phosphate esters, oxidation of poly(alkylene H-phosphonate)s and polycondensation of aryl or alkylphosphoric dichlorides with dihydroxy compounds are discussed. Different polymers—from linear to cross-linked, from water-soluble to hydrophobic polymers—were prepared. NMR data ( 1 H, 31 P, and 13 C) are included. Poly[alkylene (arylene) phosphate]s are appealing for biological applications because of their potential functionality, biocompatibility, and similarity to biomacromolecules such as nucleic acids. In the biological field, stimuli–responsive polyphosphates that exhibit unique property changes in response to environmental stimuli, e.g., temperature, pH, electric fields, and light. Biodegradable polyphosphate nanoparticles are promising for many biomedical applications, including smart drug/gene delivery systems, injectable tissue-engineering scaffolds, due to their distinctive characteristics including thermodynamic stability, long-circulation potential following intravenous injection, and passive targeting ability to tumor tissues, and low toxicity (2000 mg/kg). In nonbiological fields, aromatic polyphosphates possess attractive properties—thermal stability (TS), flame retardation, resistant to water and acids, invisible cements for glass.