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 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: Polymeric compounds containing polymer backbones functionalized with ion-specific recognition elements and methods for the use of these compounds are described herein. The polymeric compounds may contain multiple types of ion-specific recognition elements depending on a specific application. The polymeric compounds can be used to remove ionic species from a solution, for example, in separations applications in which a single or multiple types of ionic species are desired to be removed from the solution.

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 poly(aryl ether sulfone) of low polydispersity containing no detectable cyclic polymer byproduct was prepared by melt polymerization without catalyst, solvent, and base. The poly(aryl ether sulfone) can be used without further purification for the manufacture of articles. A melt composition for fabricating an article comprises the poly(aryl ether sulfone) and, optionally, one or more additives.

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 poly(aryl ether sulfone) of low polydispersity containing no detectable cyclic polymer byproduct was prepared by melt polymerization without catalyst, solvent, and base. The poly(aryl ether sulfone) can be used without further purification for the manufacture of articles. A melt composition for fabricating an article comprises the poly(aryl ether sulfone) and, optionally, one or more additives.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for patterning a surface of a material. A substrate having a polymer film thereon is provided. The polymer is a selectively reactive polymer (e.g., thermodynamically unstable): it is able to unzip upon suitable stimulation. A probe is used to create patterns on the film. During the patterning, the film is locally stimulated for unzipping polymer chains. Hence, a basic idea is to provide a stimulus to the polymeric material, which in turn spontaneously decomposes e.g., into volatile constituents. For example, the film is thermally stimulated in order to break a single bond in a polymer chain, which is sufficient to trigger the decomposition of the entire polymer chain.

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: Polymeric compounds containing polymer backbones functionalized with ion-specific recognition elements and methods for the use of these compounds are described herein. The polymeric compounds may contain multiple types of ion-specific recognition elements depending on a specific application. The polymeric compounds can be used to remove ionic species from a solution, for example, in separations applications in which a single or multiple types of ionic species are desired to be removed from the solution.

Abstract: A method of preparing particles comprises forming by optical lithography a topographic template layer disposed on a surface of a substrate, which is suitable for spin casting. The template layer comprises a non-crosslinked template polymer having a pattern of independent wells therein for molding independent particles. Spin casting a particle-forming composition onto the template layer forms a composite layer comprising the template polymer and the particles disposed in the wells. The composite layer is removed from the substrate using a stripping agent that dissolves the template polymer without dissolving the particles. The particles are then isolated.