Backbiting Reactions Research Articles

Backbiting-minimized synthesis of fluorosilicone copolymers with promoter by anionic ring-opening polymerization

A back-biting reaction in fluorosilicone synthesis can compromise its precision–manufactured mechanical properties and deteriorate its molecular properties. This phenomenon can potentially disrupt the intricate structure of fluorosilicone, diminishing its durability and altering its properties over time. Cyclosiloxane with methyl and vinyl groups was added to overcome the limited properties of poly[methyl(trifluoropropyl)siloxane] and conventional rubber for harnessing versatile materials, such as vehicles and spacecraft. In this study, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, and allyl methyl carbonate were used as promoters to suppress back-biting reactions, and an improved fluoro-vinyl-methyl silicone (FVMQ) was synthesized. 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy showed that the cyclic by-products from the back-biting reaction were inhibited by adding carbonate materials. Moreover, the conversion of 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-tris(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)cyclotrisiloxane also increased as the amount of promoter increased. The roles of varying carbonate promoters in altering the properties of FVMQs were studied using 1H NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, the intermediate of FVMQs was prepared and analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography to determine the mechanism of suppressing back-biting. The results showed that controlled synthesis of FVMQs by inhibiting the production of cyclic by-products with promoters will improve silicone polymer synthesis and the vehicle industry requiring high yields of fluorosilicone copolymers.

Monomer centred selectivity guidelines for sulfurated ring-opening copolymerisations.

Sulfur-containing polymers, such as thioesters and thiocarbonates, offer sustainability advantages, including enhanced degradability and chemical recyclability. However, their synthesis remains underdeveloped compared to that of their oxygen-containing counterparts. Although catalytic ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) can provide access to sulfur-containing polymers, these materials often exhibit uncontrolled microstructures and unpredictable properties. A comprehensive model that elucidates the factors determining selectivity in these catalytic reactions is still lacking, despite its central importance for advancing these polymerizations into widely applicable methodologies. In this study, we investigate the factors that lead to selectivity in sulfurated ROCOP across various monomer combinations, including thioanhydrides or carbon disulfide with epoxides, thiiranes, and oxetanes. We find that unwanted by-products primarily arise from backbiting reactions of catalyst-bound alkoxide chain ends, which can be mitigated by (i) selecting monomers that form primary alkoxide of thiolate chain ends, (ii) maximizing ring strain in the backbiting step, and (iii) timely termination of the polymerization. By applying these strategies, the selectivity of the catalytic ROCOP can be controlled and we successfully synthesized perfectly alternating poly(esters-alt-thioesters) from various oxetanes and the highly industrially relevant ethylene oxide. Our study thereby shifts the focus for achieving selectivity from catalyst to monomer choice providing valuable mechanistic insights for the development of future selective polymerizations, paving the way for sulfurated polymers as potential alternatives to current commodity materials.

Anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate and chain-end modification via terminal-selective transesterification with bulky zincate

The anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was investigated using dilithium tetra-tert-butylzincate (TBZL), which is a bulky zincate, as an initiator. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with a narrow molecular weight distribution was obtained by conducting the polymerization in toluene at −80 °C. Chain-end analysis revealed the formation of PMMA with a tert-butyl group at the α-end and a hydrogen atom at the ω-end. These results suggest the living nature of the present polymerization. However, a prolonged polymerization time or elevated temperature caused backbiting reactions. Postpolymerization modification of the formed PMMA was also investigated using TBZL as a transesterification catalyst. Chain-end analysis revealed that terminal-selective transesterification occurred only at the monomeric unit at the terminating chain end. Therefore, TBZL appears to play dual roles in the production of chain-end-modified PMMA: an initiator for anionic polymerization and a catalyst for terminal-selective transesterification.

Tetrabutylammonium Halides as Selectively Bifunctional Catalysts Enabling the Syntheses of Recyclable High Molecular Weight Salicylic Acid-Based Copolyesters.

To synthesize high molecular weight poly(phenolic ester) via a living ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic phenolic ester monomers remains a critical challenge due to serious transesterification and back-biting reactions. Both phenolic ester bonds in monomer and polymer chains are highly active, and it is difficult so far to distinguish them. In this work, an unprecedented selectively bifunctional catalytic system of tetra-n-butylammonium chloride (TBACl) was discovered to mediate the syntheses of high molecular weight salicylic acid-based copolyesters via a living ROP of salicylate cyclic esters (for poly(salicylic methyl glycolide) (PSMG), Mn =361.8 kg/mol, Ð<1.30). Compared to previous catalysis systems, the side reactions were suppressed remarkably in this catalysis system because phenolic ester bond in monomer can be selectively cleaved over that in polymer chains during ROP progress. Mechanistic studies reveal that the halide anion and alkyl-quaternaryammonium cation work synergistically, where the alkyl-quaternaryammonium cation moiety interacts with the carbonyl group of substrates via non-classical hydrogen bonding. Moreover, these salicylic acid-based copolyesters can be recycled to dimeric monomer under solution condition, and can be recycled to original monomeric monomers without catalyst under sublimation condition.

Ring-opening polymerization of cyclic oligosiloxanes without producing cyclic oligomers.

A long-standing problem associated with silicone synthesis is contamination of the polymer products with 10 to 15% cyclic oligosiloxanes that results from backbiting reactions at the polymer chain ends. This process, in competition with chain propagation through ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic monomers, was thought to be unavoidable and routinely leads to a thermodynamically controlled reaction mixture (polymer/cyclic oligosiloxanes = 85/15). Here, we report that simple alcohol coordination to the anionic chain ends prevents the backbiting process and that a well-designed phosphonium cation acts as a self-quenching system in response to loss of coordinating alcohols to stop the reaction before the backbiting process begins. The combination of both effects allows a thermodynamically controlled ROP of the eight-membered siloxane ring D4 without producing undesirable cyclic oligosiloxanes.

Non-Isocyanate Aliphatic-Aromatic Poly(carbonate-urethane)s-An Insight into Transurethanization Reactions and Structure-Property Relationships.

This study reveals insights into the transurethanization reactions leading to the aliphatic–aromatic non-isocyanate poly(carbonate-urethane)s (NIPCUs) and their structure–property relationships. The crucial impact of the alkyl chain length in 4,4′-diphenylmethylene bis(hydroxyalkyl carbamate) (BHAC) on the process of transurethanization reactions was proved. The strong susceptibility of hydroxyethyl- and hydroxybutyl carbamate moieties to the back-biting side reactions was observed due to the formation of thermodynamically stable cyclic products and urea bonds in the BHACs and NIPCUs. When longer alkyl chains (hydroxypentyl-, hydroxyhexyl-, or hydroxydecyl carbamate) were introduced into the BHAC structure, it was not prone to the back-biting side reaction. Both 1H and 13C NMR, as well as FT-IR spectroscopies, confirmed the presence of carbonate and urethane (and urea for some of the samples) bonds in the NIPCUs, as well as proved the lack of allophanate and ether groups. The increase in the alkyl chain length (from 5 to 10 carbon atoms) between urethane groups in the NIPCU hard segments resulted in the increase in the elongation at break and crystalline phase content, as well as the decrease in the Tg, tensile strength, and hardness. Moreover, the obtained NIPCUs exhibited exceptional mechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength of 40 MPa and elongation at break of 130%).

Mathematical modeling and parameter estimation for 1,6-Hexanediol diacrylate photopolymerization with bifunctional initiator

A dynamic model is proposed for photopolymerization of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) using bifunctional initiator bis-acylphosphine oxide (BAPO). The proposed model accounts for branching, backbiting and cyclization reactions, and for diffusion-dependent reaction rates during photopolymerization. The proposed model contains 40 adjustable kinetic and free-volume parameters. Experimental data available for parameter estimation are vinyl group conversions obtained using a variety of light intensities and exposure times, and monomer conversions for three experiments. Systematic parameter ranking and estimation is used to evaluate the influence of phenomena included in the model on the quality of the fit. Estimation and ranking results indicate that branching, backbiting, and cyclization reactions have important influences on conversion. Reactions involving two large molecules and propagation reactions become diffusion-dependent. Incorporating diffusion-dependent initiator efficiency results in improved model predictions.

Synthesis of Linear to Cyclic Polylactide via a One-Pot Step-Wise Ring-Opening Polymerization and Back-Biting Reaction of Ring Closure Using Magnesium Complexes.

The controllable synthesis of cyclic polylactide remains a challenging topic so far. In this work, a new strategy of one-pot step-wise ring-opening polymerization (ROP) followed by a back-biting reaction of ring closure was reported, in which one magnesium atrane-like complex {N,N-bis[3,5-di-cumyl-2-benzyloxy]-[2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethoxy]magnesium} was utilized to initiate the ROP of lactide using 4-dimethylaminopyridine as a co-catalyst; then, macrocyclic polylactides were liberated out via increasing temperature after complete depletion of the monomer in which a back-biting reaction was utilized as a ring-closure method. The living feature at the first ROP stage can be proved well by the controllable molecular weights ranging from 3.10 to 34.70 kDa and narrow molecular weight distributions of linear polylactides obtained after quenching the reaction. The final cyclic polylactides with molecular weights (vs polystyrene) ranging from 2.50 to 16.10 kDa can be achieved too after the back-biting reaction of ring closure. Although a shoulder peak at the gel permeation chromatography profile appears when the ratio of monomer:initiator is high up to 100:1 or 200:1, this system is suitable for the controllable syntheses of cyclic polylactides with desirable modest molecular weights.

Computational Exploration of Dinuclear MgCo Complex-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide and CO2

The mechanism of the heterodinuclear MgCo complex-catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and CO2, which was developed by the Williams group, has been deeply investigated with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Both of the two processes in the whole copolymerization reaction, chain initiation and chain propagation, involve two key steps, which are the ring-opening of Mg-binding CHO and the insertion of Co-binding CO2 to the Mg-alkoxide. The computational results suggest that the rate-determining step (RDS) is the second CO2 insertion step in the propagation process under 1 bar of CO2 pressure, and the RDS switches to the second CHO ring-opening step under 20 bar of CO2 pressure. The back-biting side reactions from the metal-alkoxide to generate trans-cyclic carbonate (trans-CC) or those from the metal carbonate to generate cis-cyclic carbonate (cis-CC) were computed to have relatively high barriers. The other homodinuclear/heterodinuclear catalytic systems including CoCo, MgZn, MgMg, and ZnZn systems were investigated for comparison with the MgCo system.

Unifying Step-Growth Polymerization and On-Demand Cascade Ring-Closure Depolymerization via Polymer Skeletal Editing

The inherent skeletal and thermal features to forge polymers by step-growth polymerization are conflicting with any depolymerization strategies via cascade back-biting reactions that necessitate adequate ceiling temperature, spacers, and functionalities to create cyclic compounds. Here, we report the edition of step-growth poly(carbonate-urea)s and poly(carbonate-amide)s that are depolymerized on demand into their native precursor or added-value offspring oxazolidinones, together with a hemiacetal cyclic carbonate. The unprotected in-chain secondary amide or urea functionalities of the polymers trigger their degradation via cascade ring-closing events upon a thermal switch (from 25 to 80 °C) in the presence of an organic base as a catalyst. Although most studies are realized in solution for understanding the deconstruction process, the polymers are also fully degraded in 2 h in neat conditions without any catalyst at 150 °C. At 80 °C, the organic base is required to accelerate the process. On the road to sustainability and circularity, we validate the concept by exploiting monomers designed from waste CO2 and upcycled commodity plastics. Ultimately, these polymers are selectively depolymerized from plastic mixtures composed of commodity poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polycaprolactone, offering new options for recycling plastic waste mixtures while delivering high-value-added chemicals.

A DFT study on the cyclization-degradation mechanism for phenylmethylsiloxanes in thermal vacuum

A series of DFT calculations has been performed on the cyclization-degradation mechanisms of phenylmethylsiloxanes in a thermal vacuum. Like dimethylsiloxanes, a four-membered cyclic motif is identified for all transition states. The flexibility of the backbone is a precondition for the back-biting reaction. The phenylmethylsiloxanes confer more stability than the dimethylsiloxanes because the replacement of methyl by phenyl reduces the flexibility of the backbone. The activation energy is mainly determined by the total energy effect in the process of bonds’ formation and scission. The depolymerization of the main chain for the phenylmethylsiloxanes is higher in the energy barrier than that for the dimethylsiloxanes by about 14.38 kcal/mol. The cyclization degradation mechanism of them little differs intrinsically. The effect of the end group on the activation energy of the depolymerization reduces rapidly as the main chain lengthens. Whether in phenylmethylsiloxanes or in dimethylsiloxanes, the effect of hydroxyl end-groups is to assist in the cleavage of Si-C bonds in the way of the hydrogen abstraction, hence, the replacement of the trimethylsilyl terminal group by the dimethylhydroxylsilyl group should decrease the thermal stability of siloxanes. The phenylmethylsiloxanes show slightly higher activation energy of intramolecular hydrogen abstraction than the dimethylsiloxanes, because the methyl has a stronger reducibility than the phenyl.

Simple and Precision Approach to Polythioimidocarbonates and Hybrid Block Copolymer Derivatives

The advancement of polymeric materials relies heavily on the innovation in polymerization reactions. In this study, we have discovered alternating copolymerization of isothiocyanate (ITC) and epoxide, which results in a nearly unexploited sulfur-containing polymer, polythioimidocarbonate (PTC). Provided with a simple two-component catalyst, i.e., a Lewis pair consisting of triethylborane (Et3B) and excess phosphazene base (PB), the copolymerization starts from an alcohol and proceeds in a strictly alternating and highly chemoselective manner, yielding PTC with controlled molar mass and low dispersity, free of cyclic byproducts and ether linkages. The method applies well to a variety of ITCs and epoxides. It is also found with great excitement that the reaction on ITC is fully inhibited when the catalyst composition is inverted to have Et3B in excess, while homopolymerization of epoxide occurs selectively in this case. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation reveals that Et3B-alkoxide complexation is the key to suppressing the back-biting reaction during the copolymerization ([Et3B] < [PB]) and inhibiting the copolymerization ([Et3B] > [PB]). This unique “biased” feature is harnessed to develop a catalyst switch strategy for one-pot block copolymerization from the mixture of ITC and epoxide with either copolymerization or homopolymerization conducted first, resulting in tailor-made PTC-polyether block copolymers with reversible sequence structures. On the other hand, sequence-selective terpolymerization occurs from a mixture of phthalic anhydride, ITC, and epoxide, allowing the one-step synthesis of polyester-PTC block terpolymer. These results have highlighted the versatility of the method for exploring this uncharted area of polymers.

Inside Cover Picture

The cover picture shows binuclear vanadium complexes for ROMP, which revealed unexpected backbiting reaction between two in‐situ formed alkylidenes. The following REMP gives the formation of polymer with cyclic topology. More details are discussed in the article by Wu et al. on page 1181—1187.image

S-Carboxyanhydrides: Ultrafast and Selective Ring-Opening Polymerizations Towards Well-defined Functionalized Polythioesters.

Aliphatic polythioesters are popular polymers because of their appealing performance such as metal coordination ability, high refractive indices, and biodegradability. One of the most powerful approaches for generating these polymers is the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic monomers. However, the synthesis of precisely controlled polythioesters via ROP of thiolactones still faces formidable challenges, including the minimal functional diversity of available thiolactone monomers, as well as inevitable transthioesterification side reactions. Here we introduce a hyperactive class of S-carboxyanhydride (SCA) monomers derived from amino acids that are significantly more reactive than thiolactones for ultrafast and selective ROP. Inclusion of the initiator PPNOBz ([PPN]=bis(triphenylphosphine)-iminium) with chain transfer agent benzoic acid, the polymerizations that can be operated in open vessels reach complete conversion within minutes (1-2 min) at room temperature, yielding polythioesters with predictable molecular weight, low dispersities, retained stereoregularity and chemical recyclability. Most fascinating are the functionalized SCAs that allow the incorporating of functional groups along the polythioester chain and thus finely tune their physicochemical performance. Computational studies were carried out to explore the origins of the distinctive rapidity and exquisite selectivity of the polymerizations, offering mechanistic insight and explaining why high polymerizability of SCA monomer is able to facilitate exquisitely selective ring-opening for enchainment over competing transthioesterification and backbiting reactions.

S‐Carboxyanhydrides: Ultrafast and Selective Ring‐Opening Polymerizations Towards Well‐defined Functionalized Polythioesters

AbstractAliphatic polythioesters are popular polymers because of their appealing performance such as metal coordination ability, high refractive indices, and biodegradability. One of the most powerful approaches for generating these polymers is the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic monomers. However, the synthesis of precisely controlled polythioesters via ROP of thiolactones still faces formidable challenges, including the minimal functional diversity of available thiolactone monomers, as well as inevitable transthioesterification side reactions. Here we introduce a hyperactive class of S‐carboxyanhydride (SCA) monomers derived from amino acids that are significantly more reactive than thiolactones for ultrafast and selective ROP. Inclusion of the initiator PPNOBz ([PPN]=bis(triphenylphosphine)‐iminium) with chain transfer agent benzoic acid, the polymerizations that can be operated in open vessels reach complete conversion within minutes (1–2 min) at room temperature, yielding polythioesters with predictable molecular weight, low dispersities, retained stereoregularity and chemical recyclability. Most fascinating are the functionalized SCAs that allow the incorporating of functional groups along the polythioester chain and thus finely tune their physicochemical performance. Computational studies were carried out to explore the origins of the distinctive rapidity and exquisite selectivity of the polymerizations, offering mechanistic insight and explaining why high polymerizability of SCA monomer is able to facilitate exquisitely selective ring‐opening for enchainment over competing transthioesterification and backbiting reactions.

Modeling of Living Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Ethers: Active Chain End versus Activated Monomer Mechanism

Living cationic ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ethers in the presence of diol was modeled using the method of moments. A widespread kinetic model was developed based on previous experimental studies. Then, the moment and population balance of reactants were obtained. Modeling results were employed to study the influence of initiator and water amounts (as the impurity) as well as feeding policy in polymerization kinetics and final properties of the polymer. In addition, the sensitivity of modeling results to initiation, backbiting, and finally propagation via activated monomer reactions were investigated. Results showed the population of chains is the function of their precursors. In a typical polymerization, chains with diol functionality are the majority. Therefore, most of the polymerized monomers are incorporated into those chains. This makes the chains with diol functionality the determining group in Molecular Weight Distribution (MWD). The kinetics of polymerization and properties of the reactor’s product are highly dependent on the ratio of the rate of propagation via the Activated Monomer (AM) mechanism to the rate of propagation via active chain end (ACE). An increase in this ratio decreases the probability of occurrence of backbiting reaction. Therefore, cyclic dimers are less formed and MWD narrows. On the other hand, decreasing this ratio results in less diol reacted with protonated monomers. Consequently, the rate of regeneration of the initiator and hence the rate of polymerization is decreased. These findings give complete facts about the ring-opening syntheses of polyethers and are valuable for evolving new grades as well as optimization current processes.

Exploiting Addition-Fragmentation Reactions to Produce Low Dispersity Poly(isobornyl acrylate) and Blocky Copolymers by Semibatch Radical Polymerization.

Solution radical homopolymerization of isobornyl acrylate (iBoA) under starved-feed higher temperature conditions unexpectedly leads to polymer product with low dispersity (<1.3) compared to the polymerization of butyl acrylate (BA) under identical conditions. Both backbiting and β-scission reactions occur, as the poly(iBoA) product contains close to 100% terminal double bond (TDB) functionality. However, the addition of monomer to the midchain radicals formed by backbiting is sterically hindered, greatly reducing both short and long-chain branching. The poly(iBoA) macromonomer functions as an excellent addition-fragmentation agent, not only lowering dispersity but also providing a means to efficiently produce blocky acrylate copolymers through sequential monomer feeding in the starved-feed semibatch process.

Method of Moments Applied to Most-Likely High-Temperature Free-Radical Polymerization Reactions

Many widely-used polymers are made via free-radical polymerization. Mathematical models of polymerization reactors have many applications such as reactor design, operation, and intensification. The method of moments has been utilized extensively for many decades to derive rate equations needed to predict polymer bulk properties. In this article, for a comprehensive list consisting of more than 40 different reactions that are most likely to occur in high-temperature free-radical homopolymerization, moment rate equations are derived methodically. Three types of radicals—secondary radicals, tertiary radicals formed through backbiting reactions, and tertiary radicals produced by intermolecular chain transfer to polymer reactions—are accounted for. The former tertiary radicals generate short-chain branches, while the latter ones produce long-chain branches. In addition, two types of dead polymer chains, saturated and unsaturated, are considered. Using a step-by-step approach based on the method of moments, this article guides the reader to determine the contributions of each reaction to the production or consumption of each species as well as to the zeroth, first and second moments of chain-length distributions of live and dead polymer chains, in order to derive the overall rate equation for each species, and to derive the rate equations for the leading moments of different chain-length distributions. The closure problems that arise are addressed by assuming chain-length distribution models. As a case study, β-scission and backbiting rate coefficients of methyl acrylate are estimated using the model, and the model is then applied to batch spontaneous thermal polymerization to predict polymer average molecular weights and monomer conversion. These predictions are compared with experimental measurements.

On the Recovery of PLP-Molar Mass Distribution at High Laser Frequencies: A Simulation Study

Due to the inherent difficulties in determination of the degree of branching for polymers produced in pulsed laser polymerization (PLP) experiments, the behavior of the degree of branching and backbiting reaction in high laser frequency and relatively high reaction temperatures have not been well-established. Herein, through a simulation study, the validity of different explanations on the recovery of PLP-molar mass distribution at high laser frequencies is discussed. It is shown that the reduction of the backbiting reaction rate at high laser frequency, and consequent decrease in the degree of branching, is not a necessary condition for recovering the PLP-molar mass distribution. The findings of this work provide simulation support to a previous explanation about the possibility of using high laser frequency for reliable determination of the propagation rate coefficient for acrylic monomers.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(d,l-lactic acid) micelles containing oligo(lactic acid)8-paclitaxel prodrug: In Vivo conversion and antitumor efficacy

Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PEG-b-PLA) micelles affect drug solubilization, and a paclitaxel (PTX) loaded-PEG-b-PLA micelle (PTX-PM) is approved for cancer treatment due to injection safety and dose escalation (Genexol-PM®) compared to Taxol®. However, PTX-PM is unstable in blood, has rapid clearance, and causes dose-limiting toxicity. We have synthesized a prodrug for PTX (7-OH), using oligo(lactic acid) as a novel pro-moiety (o(LA)8-PTX) specifically for PEG-b-PLA micelles, gaining higher loading and slower release of o(LA)8-PTX over PTX. Notably, o(LA)8-PTX prodrug converts into PTX by a backbiting reaction in vitro, without requiring esterases. We hypothesize that o(LA)8-PTX-loaded PEG-b-PLA micelles (o(LA)8-PTX-PM) has a lower Cmax and higher plasma AUC than PTX-PM for improved therapeutic effectiveness. In Sprague-Dawley rats at 10 mg/kg, compared to o(LA)8-PTX-PM (10% w/w loading) and PTX-PM (10%), o(LA)8-PTX-PM (50% w/w loading) produces a 2- and 3-fold higher plasma AUC0–24 of PTX, lactic acid-PTX, and o(LA)2-PTX (o(LA)0-2-PTX), respectively. For o(LA)8-PTX-PM at 10 and 50% w/w loading, PTX and lactic acid-PTX are major bioactive metabolites, respectively. Fast prodrug conversion of o(LA)8-PTX in vivo versus in vitro (by backbiting) suggests that o(LA)8 is a good substrate for esterases. At 60 mg/kg (qwx3), o(LA)8-PTX-PM (50%) has higher antitumor activity than o(LA)8-PTX-PM (10%) and PTX-PM (10%) in a syngeneic 4T1-luc breast tumor model based on measurements of tumor volume, 4T1-luc breast tumor bioluminescence, and survival. Importantly, intravenous administration of o(LA)8-PTX-PM is well tolerated by BALB/c mice. In summary, oligo(lactic acid)8-PTX is more compatible than PTX with PEG-b-PLA micelles, more stable, and may expand the role of PEG-b-PLA micelles from “solubilizer” into “nanocarrier” for PTX as a next-generation taxane for cancer.