It relates to the field of synthetic macromolecular chemistry, and discloses a method for one-step synthesis of thiol-functionalized polyester polyols by organic catalysis. This method uses lactone monomer as reaction raw material, thiol-alcohol as initiator, and diphenyl phosphate as organic catalyst to catalyze and synthesize the thiol-functionalized polyester polyols. The present invention provides a method which is simple, inexpensive, easily controllable and environmentally friendly to prepare thiol-functionalized polyester polyols with the easily available and controllable catalyst. The method can selectively catalyze the ring opening polymerization of lactone to prepare thiol-functionalized polyester polyols using the organic catalyst.

Described are shape-memory polymers that have a composite prepolymer crosslinked with a stoichiometric amount of a multifunctional crosslinker, the composite prepolymer having a branched or telechelic prepolymer having a low polydispersity reacted with a non-crystalline chain extender. Also described are methods of making shape-memory polymers by reacting a branched or telechelic prepolymer having a low polydispersity with a non-crystalline chain extender to form a composite prepolymer, and crosslinking a stoichiometric amount of a multifunctional crosslinker with the composite prepolymer, thereby forming the shape-memory polymer.

Disclosed herein is an ABA type block copolymer including a repeating unit derived from lactic acid that is excellent in physical properties, such as toughness. The ABA type block copolymer includes a polymer block A including a repeating unit derived from lactic acid and a polymer block B including a repeating unit represented by a formula [I] linked in an order of A-B-A. In the following formula [I], R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, and n represents an integer of 1 to 10. X represents S, SO or SO.sub.2, and R.sup.4 represents an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group.

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Provided herein are methods and systems for producing biodegradable beta-propoiolacone-based polyester polymers from renewable EO and CO on an industrial scale.

Structures and methods of making biodegradable trehalose co-polymers are disclosed. Specifically, biodegradable trehalose co-polymers consist of the general structure R.sub.5[R.sub.1R.sub.2CCR.sub.3R.sub.4].sub.n-[DG].sub.mR.sub.6, wherein R.sub.1-R.sub.4 are independently selected from hydrogen or a side chain comprising at least one carbon atom, and wherein at least one of R.sub.1-R.sub.4 is a side chain comprising -L-trehalose, wherein L is a linker molecule that links trehalose to the monomer through at least one of the trehalose hydroxyl groups (OH), wherein DG is a biodegradable group, and wherein R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are end groups.

Described are shape-memory polymers that have a branched or telechelic prepolymer having a low polydispersity crosslinked with a stoichiometric amount of a multifunctional crosslinker. Also described are methods of making shape-memory polymers by crosslinking a stoichiometric amount of a multifunctional crosslinker with a branched or telechelic prepolymer having a low polydispersity. Methods of measuring the energy storage capacity of a shape-memory polymer are also disclosed.

Disclosed are compositions comprising polymeric nanoparticles and methods of using the same. The polymeric nanoparticles can be conjugated with a targeting ligand that is a substrate for a solid tumor-specific cell protein. The polymeric nanoparticles can also comprises an imaging compound and/or a therapeutic agent encapsulated in the hydrophobic interior of the nanoparticle. A cancer therapeutic composition comprising the nanoparticle is also disclosed. The disclosed nanoparticles can be used to target and deliver imaging and/or therapeutic compounds to cancer cells, thereby identifying and/or treating a solid tumor cell target. Methods for treating cancer, such as lung cancer, using the polymeric nanoparticles are also disclosed.

The present invention provides cyclic dimers of alpha acids and polymers derived therefrom. Also provided are processes for preparing and methods of using the cyclic dimers and the polymers derived from the cyclic dimers.

It relates to the field of synthetic macromolecular chemistry, and discloses a method for one-step synthesis of thiol-functionalized polyester polyols by organic catalysis. This method uses lactone monomer as reaction raw material, thiol-alcohol as initiator, and diphenyl phosphate as organic catalyst to catalyze and synthesize the thiol-functionalized polyester polyols. The present invention provides a method which is simple, inexpensive, easily controllable and environmentally friendly to prepare thiol-functionalized polyester polyols with the easily available and controllable catalyst. The method can selectively catalyze the ring opening polymerization of lactone to prepare thiol-functionalized polyester polyols using the organic catalyst.

A method to prepare functional polyester polyols by using micro-reaction device, wherein mixing -caprolactone/-valerolactone monomer with mercapto alcohol evenly with appropriate organic solution under moistureless conditions, and continuously transferring the prepared mixing solution into a micro-reaction device supported with an immobilized enzyme for polymerization to synthetize a poly (-caprolactone/-valerolactone). Compared with the prior art, the present invention achieves a continuous production by using immobilized lipase Novozyme435 as a catalyst.