Abstract: A number of cationic antimicrobial polymers have been synthesized by a condensation polymerization in bulk. The initial polymer formed has backbone tertiary nitrogens, which are subsequently quaternized using a suitable quaternizing agent (e.g., alkyl halide). The cationic polymers include polyamides, polycarbonates, polypolyureas and polyguanidiniums having a cationic repeat unit comprising the quaternary ammonium nitrogen as a backbone nitrogen. The cationic polymers can be active against Gram-negative, Gram-positive microbes, and/or fungi.

Abstract: A number of cationic antimicrobial polymers have been synthesized by a condensation polymerization in bulk. The initial polymer formed has backbone tertiary nitrogens, which are subsequently quaternized using a suitable quaternizing agent (e.g., alkyl halide). The cationic polymers include polyamides, polycarbonates, polypolyureas and polyguanidiniums having a cationic repeat unit comprising the quaternary ammonium nitrogen as a backbone nitrogen. The cationic polymers can be active against Gram-negative, Gram-positive microbes, and/or fungi.

Abstract: Water soluble biodegradable polymers were prepared by an organoacid catalyzed ring opening polymerization (ROP) of a cyclic carbonate monomer bearing an active ester side chain. The initial polymer comprising an active ester side chain was treated with an amino-alcohol, which transformed the active ester groups to N-substituted amide groups bearing mono-hydroxy alkyl groups and/or dihydroxy alkyl groups, thereby forming the water soluble polymers. The water-soluble polymers are non-toxic and exhibit stealth properties in buffered serum solution.

Abstract: Antimicrobial cationic polymers having one or two cationic polycarbonate chains were prepared by organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization. One antimicrobial cationic polymer has a polymer chain consisting essentially of cationic carbonate repeat units linked to one or two end groups. The end groups can comprise a covalently bound form of biologically active compound such as cholesterol. Other antimicrobial cationic polymers have a random copolycarbonate chain comprising a minor mole fraction of hydrophobic repeat units bearing a covalently bound form of a vitamin E and/or vitamin D2. The cationic polymers exhibit high activity and selectivity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive microbes and fungi.

Abstract: Antimicrobial cationic polymers having one or two cationic polycarbonate chains were prepared by organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization. One antimicrobial cationic polymer has a polymer chain consisting essentially of cationic carbonate repeat units linked to one or two end groups. The end groups can comprise a covalently bound form of biologically active compound such as cholesterol. Other antimicrobial cationic polymers have a random copolycarbonate chain comprising a minor mole fraction of hydrophobic repeat units bearing a covalently bound form of a vitamin E and/or vitamin D2. The cationic polymers exhibit high activity and selectivity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive microbes and fungi.

Abstract: Water soluble biodegradable polymers were prepared by an organoacid catalyzed ring opening polymerization (ROP) of a cyclic carbonate monomer bearing an active ester side chain. The initial polymer comprising an active ester side chain was treated with an amino-alcohol, which transformed the active ester groups to N-substituted amide groups bearing mono-hydroxy alkyl groups and/or dihydroxy alkyl groups, thereby forming the water soluble polymers. The water-soluble polymers are non-toxic and exhibit stealth properties in buffered serum solution.

Abstract: Eight-membered ring cyclic carbonates comprising a ring nitrogen at position 6 (1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-ones) were prepared by reaction of precursor diols with active carbonates. The ring nitrogen is linked to a pendant group Y? via a methylene linking group. The cyclic carbonates undergo organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization to form an initial polycarbonate comprising a backbone tertiary amine group. Quaternization of the initial polycarbonates forms cationic polycarbonates comprising a positive-charged backbone quaternary nitrogen. The cationic polycarbonates can be potent antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Eight-membered ring cyclic carbonates comprising a ring nitrogen at position 6 (1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-ones) were prepared by reaction of precursor diols with active carbonates. The ring nitrogen is linked to a pendant group Y? via a methylene linking group. The cyclic carbonates undergo organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization to form an initial polycarbonate comprising a backbone tertiary amine group. Quaternization of the initial polycarbonates forms cationic polycarbonates comprising a positive-charged backbone quaternary nitrogen. The cationic polycarbonates can be potent antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: A branched polyamine comprises about 8 to about 12 backbone tertiary amine groups, about 18 to about 24 backbone secondary amine groups, a positive number n? greater than 0 of backbone terminating primary amine groups, and a positive number q greater than 0 of backbone terminating carbamate groups of formula (2): wherein (n?+q) is a number equal to about 8 to about 12, the starred bond of formula (2) is linked to a backbone nitrogen of the branched polyamine, L? is a divalent linking group comprising 3 to 30 carbons, and q/(n?+q)×100% equals about 9% to about 40%.

Abstract: Cationic, anionic, and/or zwitterionic bis-urea compounds self-assemble by non-covalent interactions in aqueous solution to form high aspect ratio nanofibers. The nanofibers reversibly bind drugs by non-covalent interactions, forming drug compositions for exhibiting sustained release of the drug.

Abstract: One catalyst-free method of forming a polyurethane comprises forming a first emulsion comprising a first monomer, a surfactant, a water immiscible organic solvent, and water. The first monomer comprises two or more pentafluorophenyl carbonate groups. The first emulsion is combined with an aqueous mixture containing a second monomer comprising two or more nucleophilic amine groups, thereby forming a second emulsion. The first and second monomers of the second emulsion are allowed to react by interfacial polymerization, thereby forming a polyurethane. The polyurethane can have a number average molecular weight (Mn) of about 30000 to about 80000. The method is compatible with introducing pendant functionality into the polyurethane by way of cyclic carbonate precursors to the first monomer.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprise a drug, a first block polymer and a second block polymer. The first block polymer has a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) block and a polycarbonate block bearing a side chain aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycle (N-heterocycle). The N-heterocycle can be in the form of a base, a hydrosalt of the base, a sulfobetaine adduct of the base, or a combination thereof. The second block polymer has a PEO block and a polycarbonate block bearing a side chain catechol group, which can be present as a catechol, oxidized form of a catechol, and/or a polymerized form of a catechol. The nanoparticles can be dispersed in water and are capable of controlled release of the drug.

Abstract: Cationic, anionic, and/or zwitterionic bis-urea compounds self-assemble by non-covalent interactions in aqueous solution to form high aspect ratio nanofibers. The nanofibers reversibly bind drugs by non-covalent interactions, forming drug compositions for exhibiting sustained release of the drug.

Abstract: Antimicrobial cationic polymers having one or two cationic polycarbonate chains were prepared by organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization. One antimicrobial cationic polymer has a polymer chain consisting essentially of cationic carbonate repeat units linked to one or two end groups. The end groups can comprise a covalently bound form of biologically active compound such as cholesterol. Other antimicrobial cationic polymers have a random copolycarbonate chain comprising a minor mole fraction of hydrophobic repeat units bearing a covalently bound form of a vitamin E and/or vitamin D2. The cationic polymers exhibit high activity and selectivity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive microbes and fungi.

Abstract: A cationic star polymer is disclosed of the general formula (1): wherein w? is a positive number greater than or equal to 3, I? is a dendritic polyester core covalently linked to w? independent peripheral linear cationic polymer chains P?. Each of the chains P? comprises a cationic repeat unit comprising i) a backbone functional group selected from the group consisting of aliphatic carbonates, aliphatic esters, aliphatic carbamates, aliphatic ureas, aliphatic thiocarbamates, aliphatic dithiocarbonates, and combinations thereof, and ii) a side chain comprising a quaternary amine group. The quaternary amine group comprises a divalent methylene group directly covalently linked to i) a positive charged nitrogen and ii) an aromatic ring.

Abstract: A branched polyamine comprises about 45 to about 70 backbone tertiary amine groups, about 90 to about 140 backbone secondary amine groups, a positive number n? greater than 0 of backbone terminating primary amine groups, and a positive number q greater than 0 of backbone terminating carbamate groups of formula (2): wherein (n?+q) is a number equal to about 45 to about 70, the starred bond of formula (2) is linked to a backbone nitrogen of the branched polyamine, L? is a divalent radical comprising 3 to 30 carbons, and q/(n?+q)×100% equals about 9% to about 47%.

Abstract: A branched polyamine comprises about 45 to about 70 backbone tertiary amine groups, about 90 to about 140 backbone secondary amine groups, a positive number n? greater than 0 of backbone terminating primary amine groups, and a positive number q greater than 0 of backbone terminating carbamate groups of formula (2): wherein (n?+q) is a number equal to about 45 to about 70, the starred bond of formula (2) is linked to a backbone nitrogen of the branched polyamine, L? is a divalent radical comprising 3 to 30 carbons, and q/(n?+q)×100% equals about 9% to about 47%.

Abstract: A branched polyamine comprises about 8 to about 12 backbone tertiary amine groups, about 18 to about 24 backbone secondary amine groups, a positive number n? greater than 0 of backbone terminating primary amine groups, and a positive number q greater than 0 of backbone terminating carbamate groups of formula (2): wherein (n?+q) is a number equal to about 8 to about 12, the starred bond of formula (2) is linked to a backbone nitrogen of the branched polyamine, L? is a divalent linking group comprising 3 to 30 carbons, and q/(n?+q)×100% equals about 9% to about 40%.

Abstract: A composite hydrogel comprises an amphiphilic triblock copolymer (ABA) and a loaded micelle bound by noncovalent interactions. The loaded micelle comprises a biologically active substance and an amphiphilic diblock copolymer (CD). The A blocks comprise a steroidal repeat unit (repeat unit 1) having both a backbone carbonate and a side chain bearing a steroid functional group. Each of the A blocks has a degree of polymerization of about 0.5 to about 4.0. The B block comprises a first poly(alkylene oxide) backbone. The C block comprises a second poly(alkylene oxide) backbone. The D block comprises a steroidal repeat unit (repeat unit 2) having both a backbone carbonate group and a side chain comprising a steroid functional group. The composite hydrogel is capable of controlled release of the biologically active substance.

Abstract: A process of the present invention is directed toward conducting highly selective, high yield post-polymerization reactions on polypeptides to prepare functionalized polypeptides. In certain embodiments, the polypeptides can be prepared by ring opening polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides. In certain embodiments, the post-polymerization reaction is a “click chemistry” reaction. In certain embodiment, the “click chemistry” reaction is a triazole-forming reaction involving an alkyne on the polypeptide and an azide.