Orientador: Guilherme de Camargo Ferraz / Resumo: A descoberta de polímeros biodegradáveis influenciou a pesquisa biomédica. O poli (ácido lático) (PLA) e a Poli (Ɛ-caprolactona) (PCL) e suas blendas se tornaram foco de vários estudos por serem biodegradáveis e biorreabsorvíveis, particularmente em pesquisas envolvendo a implantação in vivo. Pelo presente, objetivou-se avaliar se o implante subcutâneo (SC) e intraperitoneal (IP) de PLA ou blenda PLA/ PCL são seguros, biocompatíveis e biodegradáveis em ratos machos Wistar. Os ratos foram distribuídos em cinco grupos avaliados em duas fases; aguda: -1, 1, 2, 7 e 14 dias e crônica: 2, 8 e 24 semanas após a implantação. Assim, estudaram se os grupos PLA (PLA puro), PLA/PCL (mistura PLA/PCL), instrumentado (GI), controle (C) e grupo controle inflamatório (CI). Para avaliar a biocompatibilidade utilizou-se teste comportamental de campo aberto (CA), filamentos de von Frey (FvF) e análises histopatológicas utilizando coloração de hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e picrosirius-hematoxilina (PSH). A biodegradação in vivo e degradação in vitro em solução de PBS a 37°C do PLA e PLA/PCL foram avaliadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As comparações foram realizadas entre os grupos subdivididos conforme a implantação IP e SC. No teste CA, realizado dois dias após a implantação, o grupo CI demonstrou redução nas frequências de locomoção e levantar e aumento na frequência de grooming em relação aos grupos implantados PLA, PLA/PCL, GI pela via IP ou SC e grupo C. As avaliações de FvF ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The discovery of biodegradable polymers influenced biomedical research. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (Ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and their blends have become the focus of several studies because they are biodegradable and bioreabsorbable, particularly in research involving implantation in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the subcutaneous (SC) and intraperitoneal (IP) implantation of PLA or PLA / PCL blends are safe, biocompatible and biodegradable in male Wistar rats. The rats were distributed in five groups evaluated in two phases; acute: -1, 1, 2, 7 and 14 days and chronic: 2, 8 and 24 weeks after implantation. Thus, we studied whether the groups PLA (pure PLA), PLA / PCL (PLA / PCL mixture), sham (S), control (C) and inflammatory control group (IC). To evaluate the biocompatibility, the open field behavioral test (OF), von Frey filaments (FvF) and histopathological analyzes using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and picrosirius-hematoxylin (PSH) were used. In vivo biodegradation and degradation in vitro in PBS solution at 37°C of PLA and PLA / PCL were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The comparisons were made between groups subdivided according to the IP and SC implementation. In the OF test, performed two days after implantation, the IC group demonstrated a reduction in the locomotion frequencies and augmentation and increase in the grooming frequency in relation to the PLA, PLA / PCL, sham implanted groups via IP or SC and C groups. FvF... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Os não-carbeno complexos pentacoordenados do tipo [RuCl2(PPh3)2(amina)], sendo as aminas pirrolidina, azocano e dietilamina, foram sintetizados e caracterizados por análise elementar, espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho, espectroscopia de absorção na região do ultravioleta e visível, espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear de fósforo-31 e espectroscopia de ressonância paramagnética eletrônica. Estudos da teoria do funcional da densidade dos complexos foram realizados para buscar melhor interpretação dos resultados experimentais obtidos. O complexo [RuCl2(PPh3)2(pirrolidina)] exibiu uma geometria do tipo pirâmide de base quadrada em solução, com a amina na posição apical e as trifenilfosfinasestão trans-posicionada. Os complexos [RuCl2(PPh3)2(azocano)] e [RuCl2(PPh3)2(dietilamina)] exibiram geometria do tipo bipirâmide trigonal na qual as duas trifenilfosfinas estão trans-posicionadas no eixo axial. O complexo [RuCl2(PPh3)2(pirrolidina)] exibiu boa atividade catalítica nas polimerizações de norborneno e norbornadieno, tanto em atmosfera de argônio quanto em ar a 25 °C, como observado com os complexos similares [RuCl2(PPh3)2(peridroazepina)] e [RuCl2(PPh3)2(piperidina)]. Os complexos [RuCl2(PPh3)2(azocano)] e [RuCl2(PPh3)2(dietilamina)] obtiveram baixo rendimento de polimerização mesmo a 40 °C. Acredita-se que a geometria do tipo pirâmide de base quadrada seja a ativa para formação da espécie metal-carbeno com o etil diazoacetato no período de indução e favorável para iniciar a reação de polimerização via metátese por abertura de anel. A geometria do tipo bipirâmide trigonal pode dificultar o período de indução. Os estudos teóricos corroboraram com essa discussão. Os polinorbornenos, polinorbornadienos e seus copolímeros obtidos com os três complexos ativos foram caracterizados por espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear de carbono-13, calorimetria exploratória diferencial, análise dinâmico-mecânica, termogravimetria e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. O complexo [RuCl2(PPh3)2(peridroazepina)] foi eficiente na metátese cruzada entre lignina metacrilada e o 10-undecen-1-ol para modificar a lignina Protobind 2400, e a lignina modificada foi solúvel em diversos solventes. O complexo [RuCl2(PPh3)2(peridroazepina)] também foi utilizado na autometátese da olefina terminal do 10-undecen-1-ol para obtenção de um diol que foi usado como segmento flexível e extensor de cadeia em reações de poliuretanas com óleo de mamona ou poli(ε-caprolactona) diol. Esse diol, quando utilizado em pequenas quantidades (10% em massa) nas poliuretanas derivadas do óleo de mamona, foi capaz de prover características adesivas a um material inicialmente rígido. Os resultados das reações de poliuretanas derivadas da poli(ε-caprolactona) diol não apresentaram resultados satisfatórios. / Non-carbene five-coordinate [RuCl2(PPh3)2(amina)] complexes, with pyrrolidine, azocane and diethylamine, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance and electron paramagnetic resonance. Density functional theory studies of the complexes were performed to complete and improve the experimental studies. [RuCl2(PPh3)2(pyrrolidine)] presented a square pyramidal geometry in solution, with the amine in the apical position and trans-positioned phosphines. [RuCl2(PPh3)2(azocane)] and [RuCl2(PPh3)2(diethyl amine)] exhibited a trigonal bipyramidal geometry in solution, with two phosphine molecules trans-positioned in the axial axis. [RuCl2(PPh3)2(pyrrolidine)] presented activity for ring opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene and norbornadiene under either air or inert atmosphere of argon at 25 °C, as observed with the parent complexes with perhydroazepine and piperidine. The latter three complexes presented square pyramidal geometries and high yields of polynorbornene and polynorbornadiene, different from the trigonal bipyramidal geometry of the complexes with azocane and diethylamine, which showed lower yields for polymerization even at 40 °C. This suggests that the cyclic amines in the apical position of the square pyramidal geometry provoke less steric hindrance, which provides prompt reactivity for ring opening metathesis polymerization. The bipyramidal geometry can hinder the induction period. Theoretical studies corroborate this discussion. The polynorbornenes, polynorbornadienes, and their copolymers obtained with the three active complexes were characterized by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetry analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. [RuCl2(PPh3)2(perhydroazepine)] was efficient to perform cross metathesis between the methacrylate lignin and 10-undecen-1-ol to modify the Protobind 2400 lignin, and the modified lignin was soluble in several solvents. Self-metathesis of the terminal olefin in 10-undecen-1-ol was conducted in the presence of [RuCl2(PPh3)2(perhydroazepine)] and ethyl diazoacetate to form a bioderived diol. The diol was utilized as soft segment and chain extender in polyurethane reactions with castor oil or poly(ε-caprolactone) diol. At only 10 wt% of the diol, an adhesive characteristic was observed in the castor oil-based polyurethane. The results from poly(ε-caprolactone) diol-based polyurethane were not satisfactory.

Il n'existe à l'heure actuelle pratiquement pas de copolymères greffés à fonctions cationiques et/ou amphotères présentant une dégradabilité intrinsèque. L'objectif de cette thèse est de générer des composés répondant à ces critères à partir d'une méthode de modification chimique par voie anionique de poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL). A cette fin, deux stratégies principales ont été suivies à partir d'un même intermédiaire réactionnel, un macropolycarbanion dérivé de PCL. La première est fondée sur l'emploi du macropolycabanion en tant qu'agent nucléophile qui réagit avec de petites molécules organiques électrophiles. Ces réactions de substitution ont permis l'obtention de copolymères à base PCL possédant entre 10 et 15% de motifs substitués par des groupes cationiques (ammonium, phosphonium), ou hydrosolubilisants (amine, acide carboxylique). Ces squelettes PCL fonctionnalisés peuvent être utilisés pour effectuer des post-modifications (réactions de couplages, dérivation de fonctions). La seconde stratégie utilise le macropolycarbanion en tant que macroamorceur de polymérisation anionique. Ce type de réaction a été appliqué à des dérivés vinyliques (4-VP, N-VP), des dérivés acryliques (DMAEM, MAPEG), des dérivés acrylamides (DMA, DMAPMA) et des dérivés cycliques (NCA d'acides a-aminés) ce qui a permis d'obtenir des copolymères greffés hydrosolubles à chaîne principale PCL. Ces composés ont des structures partiellement dégradables et forment en solution aqueuse des objets de dimensions nanométriques. Enfin, l'utilisation d'un dérivé polyiodé de PCL en tant que macro-polyagent de transfert est abordée ce qui constitue une nouvelle méthode de polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée par transfert dégénératif d'iode permettant l'obtention de structures greffées.

Chitosan, Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) and vital wheat gluten (WG) are three biomaterials that have quite promising properties for packaging purposes. They have good film forming properties and good gas barrier properties in dry conditions. Moreover, because they are produced from industrial waste of food processing, they offer an ecological advantage over polymers made from petroleum. However, their physicochemical characteristics still must be improved for them to be of commercial interest for the food packaging industry. The purpose of this work was to study different strategies aiming to improve the water resistance and aging properties of these polymers, which are some of the key disadvantages of these materials. The produced solution cast chitosan and WPI films were characterised with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), density measurements and thermogravimetry. The water vapour transmission rate was determined at a relative humidity of 11%. In the first part, mechanical properties of solid films and seals were assessed by tensile testing. WG film’s tensile properties and oxygen and water vapour permeabilities were measured as a function of aging time. The changes in the protein structure were determined by infrared spectroscopy and size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography and the film structure was revealed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Gluten-clay nanocomposites were characterised by tensile testing, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The incorporation of a hydrophobic biodegradable polymer, poly ( ε-caprolactone), PCL, in both chitosan and whey protein, yielded a significant decrease in water vapour transmission rate. It was observed that a certain amount of the PCL particles were ellipsoidal in chitosan and fibrous in WPI. The obtained data also indicated that the particle shape had an important influence in the water vapour transmission rate. In the second part, the aging properties of WG films, plasticized with glycerol and cast from water/ethanol solutions with pH=4 or pH=11 were investigated. WG films made from alkaline solutions were mechanically more time-stable than the acidic ones, the latter being initially very ductile but turning brittle towards the end of the aging period. The protein solubility measurements indicated that the protein structure of the acidic films was initially significantly less aggregated than the in basic films. During aging the acidic films lost more mass than the basic films through slow evaporation of volatiles (water/ethanol) and through migration of glycerol to the paper support. The oxygen permeability was also lower for the basic films. In the last part, the properties of new and aged glycerol-plasticized WG films at acidic and basic conditions containing ≤4.5 wt% natural or quaternary-ammonium-salt-modified montmorillonite were studied. Films of WG with montmorillonite were possible to produce by solution casting. The aging rate of acidic and basic films was unaffected by the incorporation of clay. However, the large reduction in water vapour permeability for most systems suggested that the clay sheets were evenly distributed within the films. The film prepared from basic solution and containing natural clay was almost completely exfoliated as revealed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The best water vapour barrier properties were obtained by using modified clay. / QC 20101013

<p>The use of synthetic materials for tissue and organ reconstruction, i. e. tissue engineering, has become a promising alternative to current surgical therapies and may overcome the shortcomings of the methods in use today. The challenge is in the design and reproducible fabrication of biocompatible and bioresorbable polymers, with suitable surface chemistry, desirable mechanical properties, and the wanted degradation profile. These material properties can be achieved in various manners, including the synthesis of homo- and copolymers along with linear and star-shaped architectures. In many applications the materials’ three-dimensional structure is almost as important as its composition and porous scaffolds with high porosity and interconnected pores that facilitate the in-growth of cells and transportation of nutrients and metabolic waste is desired.</p><p>In this work linear and star-shaped polymers have been synthesized by ring-opening polymerization using a stannous-based catalyst and a spirocyclic tin initiator. A series of linear copolymers with various combinations of 1,5-dioxepane-2-one (DXO), Llactide (LLA) and ε-caprolactone (CL) have been polymerized using stannous octoate as catalyst. It is shown that the composition of the polymers can be chosen in such a manner that the materials’ mechanical and thermal properties can be predetermined. A solvent-casting and particulate leaching scaffold preparation technique has been developed and used to create three-dimensional structures with interconnected pores. The achieved physical properties of these materials’ should facilitate their use in both soft and hard tissue regeneration.</p><p>Well defined star-shaped polyesters have been synthesized using a spirocyclic tin initiator where L-lactide was chosen as a model system for the investigation of the polymerization kinetics. Neither the temperature nor the solvent affects the molecular weight or the molecular weight distribution of the star-shaped polymers, which all show a molecular weight distribution below 1.19 and a molecular weight determined by the initial monomer-to-initiator concentration.</p>

<p>Cross-linked films of ε-caprolactone (CL) and 1,5-dioxepan-2-one (DXO) having various mole fractions of monomers and different cross-link densities were prepared using 2,2’-bis-(-caprolactone-4-yl) propane (BCP) as cross-linking agent and Sn(Oct)2 as catalyst. Reaction parameters were examined to optimize the film-forming conditions. Networks obtained were elastomeric materials, easy to cast and remove from the mould. Effect of CL content and cross-link density on the final properties of the polymer network was evaluated. Thermal, mechanical and surface properties of the films were controlled by monomer feed composition and cross-link density. The films have potential to be used for tissue engineering applications as shown by preliminary cell growth studies. To avoid organometallic catalysts in the synthesis of poly(1,5-dioxepan-2-one) (PDXO), the enzyme-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of DXO was performed with lipase-CA (derived from Candida antarctica) as a biocatalyst. A linear relationship between number-average molecular weight (Mn) and monomer conversion was observed, which suggested that the product molecular weight can be controlled by the stoichiometry of the reactants. The monomer consumption followed a first-order rate law with respect to monomer and no chain termination occurred. Effect of reaction water content, enzyme concentration and polymerization temperature on monomer conversion and polymer properties was studied. An initial activation by heating the enzyme was sufficient to start the polymerization as monomer conversion occurred at room temperature afterwards. Terminal-functionalized polyesters and tri-block polyesters were synthesized by lipase-CA catalyzed ROP of DXO and CL in the presence of an appropriate alcohol as initiator. Alcohol bearing unsaturation introduced a double bond at the chain end of the polyester, which is a useful pathway to synthesize comb polymers. Dihydroxyl compounds were used as macro-initiators to form tri-block polyesters. The enzyme-catalyzed polymerization of lactones has been shown to be a useful method to synthesize metal-free polyesters.</p>

In dieser Arbeit wird ein Verfahren entwickelt (Infrared Transition Moment Orientational Analysis, IR-TMOA) um die dreidimensionale Ordnung auf molekularer Ebene in infrarot-durchlässigen Systemen zu quantifizieren. Es beruht auf der Messung zahlreicher Infrarotspektren, die unter systematisch variierender Polarisation des einfallenden Lichts und Ausrichtung der Probe relativ zur optischen Achse aufgenommen werden. So wird ein repräsentativer Ausschnitt des dreidimensionalen Absorptionsellipsoids gemessen. Die Tensordarstellung dieses Ellipsoids ist äquivalent zum quadratischen Mittel der Verteilungsfunktion der Orientierung der Übergangsmomente, was wiederum dem Ordnungsparameter entspricht. Von zentraler Bedeutung ist ebenfalls, dass die Ordnung (und Orientierung) spezifisch für verschiedene molekulare Untereinheiten angegeben werden kann, da im mittleren Infrarot die Übergangsdipolmomente definierten, lokalen Schwingungen zugeordnet sind. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wird IR-TMOA angewendet um die molekulare Ordnung von verschiedenen amorphen und kristallinen Untereinheiten in teil-kristallinen Polymeren (Polycaprolacton, PCL und Polyethylen, PE) zu bestimmen. So kann der Einfluss der Grenzflächen und der geometrischen Einschränkungen in PCL-Filmen auf Substraten in seiner Temperaturabhängigkeit charakterisiert werden. Ebenso wird erstmalig in freitragenden PCL-Filmen in durch mechanische Streckung plastisch deformierten Bereichen die stark biaxiale molekulare Ordnung quantifiziert. In industriell produzierten PE-Filmen, die unter dem Einfluss von äußerer mechanischer Spannung kristallisieren, wird die biaxiale Ordnung und Orientierung vollständig charakterisiert und in Abhängigkeit der Präparationsbedingungen analysiert. Des weiteren wird die Ordnung in einem System aus zwei Phasen untersucht: einer ferroelektrischen Polymermatrix mit mikrometer-großen Flüssigkristalleinschlüssen (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals). Dies erlaubt es, den Einfluss eines äußeren elektrischen Feldes und des remanenten Feldes der Matrix auf die Flüssigkristalle zu quantifizieren. Durch IR-TMOA wird für alle Systeme, die infrarot aktive Vibrationen aufweisen, eine dreidimensionale molekulare Beschreibung der Orientierung und Ordnung ermöglicht. Dies stellt wiederum einen unverzichtbaren Beitrag zum Verständnis der unterliegenden strukturbildenden Prozesse dar und deren Beitrag zur resultierenden makroskopischen Struktur.

The aim of this thesis is to determine the feasibility of an injectable delivery system based on 5-ethylene ketal ε-caprolactone for localized delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for treating critical limb ischemia. HGF and VEGF were chosen because of their ability to simultaneously stimulate the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, to initiate the formation of blood vessels and the recruitment of pericytes to stabilize the blood vessels. Homopolymer of 5-ethylene ketal ε-caprolactone and its copolymer with D,L-Lactide were synthesized by ring opening polymerization using hydrophobic initiator (octan-1-ol) or an hydrophilic initiator (MPEG), and stannous octanoate as a co-initiator/catalyst. The resulting polymers were amorphous and viscous liquids at room temperature. The viscosity, biodegradation rate, and release rate were varied by copolymerizing with D,L-lactide and/or initiating with MPEG or octan-1-ol. In vitro, the polymers degraded with surface erosion characterized by a nearly linear mass loss with time with no significant change in number average molecular weight and glass transition temperature. The ratio of EKC to DLLA in the copolymer remained the same throughout the degradation studies. A similar degradation mechanism was observed in vivo when the copolymer initiated with octan-1-ol was implanted subcutaneously in rats. In vivo, the polymer exhibited a moderate chronic inflammatory response, characterized by the presence of neutrophils, macrophages, fibroblasts and fibrous capsule formation. The inflammatory response decreased with time but was still on going after 18 weeks of subcutaneous implantation. Protein release from the polymer was transported by convection through the hydrated polymer region, at a rate determined by the osmotic pressure generated and the hydraulic conductivity of the polymer. Highly bioactive VEGF and HGF were released in a sustained manner, without burst effect for over 41 days when delivered simultaneously, using the osmotic release mechanism. VEGF was released at the rate of 36 ± 7 ng/day for 41 days, while HGF was released at the rate of 16 ± 2 ng/day for 70 days. Factors that influenced release of proteins were their solubility in the concentrated trehalose solution and hydraulic permeability of the polymer. This delivery system can serve as a potential vehicle for controlled release of VEGF and HGF for treating critical limb ischemia or the controlled release of other proteins for other clinical applications. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-05-23 10:18:48.307

Des ligands diketimines porteurs de substituants N-benzyl, N-9-anthrylmethyl et N-mesitylmethyl (nacnacBnH, nacnacAnH, and nacnacMesH) ont été synthétisés par condensation d’une amine et d’acétyl acétone ou son monoacétal d’éthylène glycol. La chlorination de la position 3 a été effectuée à l’aide de N-chlorosuccinimide conduisant à la formation des ligands ClnacnacBnH et ClnacnacAnH. Cette même position 3 a également été substituée par un groupement succinimide par lithiation du nacnacBnH, suivi de la réaction avec le N-chlorosuccinimide (3-succinimido-nacnacBnH). Les ligands N-aryl nacnacippH et nacnacNaphH (ipp = 2-isopropylphenyl, Naph = 1-naphthyl) ont été préparés selon les procédures reportées dans la littérature. La réaction de ces ligands avec Zn(TMSA)2 (TMSA = N(SiMe3)2) conduit à la formation des complexes nacnacAnZn(TMSA) et ClnacnacBnZn(TMSA). La protonation avec l’isopropanol permet l’obtention des complexes nacnacAnZnOiPr et ClnacnacBnZnOiPr. La réaction avec Mg(TMSA)2 permet quant à elle la formation des complexes nacnacAnMg(TMSA), nacnacMesMg(TMSA), ClnacnacBnMg(TMSA) et ClnacnacAnMg(TMSA). La protonation subséquente à l’aide du tert-butanol permet l’obtention du nacnacMesMgOtBu et du ClnacnacBnMgOtBu, alors que l’on observe uniquement une décomposition avec les ligands possédant des substituants N-anthrylmethyl. La réaction de ces diketimines avec Cu(OiPr)2 conduit aux dimères hétéroleptiques [nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 et [3-Cl-nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 lors de l’usage des ligands stériquement peu encombrés. Lors de l’utilisation de ligands plus encombrés, la stabilisation du complexe hétéroleptique par dimérisation n’est plus possible, conduisant, par un échange de ligand, à la formation des complexes homoleptiques Cu(nacnacipp)2 et Cu(nacnacNaph)2. Les complexes homoleptiques Cu(nacnacBn)2 et Cu(3-succinimido-nacnacBn)2 ont été obtenus à partir des ligands N-benzyl. Les ligands encore plus encombrés tels que nacnacAnH, nacnacMesH ou ceux comportant des substituants N-methylbenzyl ne présentent alors plus de réactivité avec le Cu(OiPr)2. La plupart des complexes ont été caractérisés par Diffraction des Rayons X. Les complexes homoleptiques ainsi que ceux de TMSA sont monomériques, alors que ceux formés à partir d’alkoxides se présentent sous forme de dimères à l’état solide. Tous les complexes d’alkoxides ainsi que les nacnacAnMg(TMSA)/BnOH et ClnacnacAnMg(TMSA)/BnOH présentent une réactivité modérée à haute en matière de polymérisation du rac-lactide (90% de conversion en 30 secondes à 3 heures). Le nacnacAnZnOiPr permet la synthèse d’un polymère hautement hétérotactique (Pr = 0.90) quand le ClnacnacBnMgOtBu/BnOH génère un polymère isotactique à -30°C (Pr = 0.43). Tous les autres catalyseurs produisent des polymères atactiques avec une légère tendance hétérotactique (Pr = 0.48 – 0.55). Les complexes hétéroleptiques [nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 et [3-Cl-nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 se révèlent être de très bons catalyseurs pour la polymérisation du rac-lactide présentant une conversion complète du monomère à température ambiante, en solution, en 0,5 à 5 minutes. Le [nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 est actif en présence ou absence d’isopropanol, agissant comme agent de transfert de chaine à haute activité (k2 = 32 M–1•s–1) dans le dichlorométhane. Dans l’acétonitrile, le THF, le dichloromethane et le toluène, [nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 conduit à une étroite polydispersité, possédant respectivement des kobs = 2.4(1), 5.3(5), 3.6-4.4 and 10(1) min–1. Aucune réaction parasite, telle qu’une trans-esterification, une épimerisation ou une décomposition du catalyseur, n’a été observée. Les complexes homoleptiques en présence d’alcool libre semblent présenter un équilibre avec une petite quantité de leurs équivalents hétéroleptiques, permettant une polymérisation complète, en moins de 60 min, à température ambiante. Tous les catalyseurs de cuivre présentent un haut contrôle de la polymérisation avec une polydispersité égale ou inférieure à 1.1. Les polymères obtenus sont essentiellement atactiques, avec une légère tendance à l’hétérotacticité à température ambiante et -17°C. Le [nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 polymérise également la -butyrolactone (BL), l’-caprolactone (CL) et la -valerolactone (VL) avec des constantes respectivement égales à kobs = 3.0(1)•10–2, 1.2–2.7•10–2, et 0.11(1) min–1. Les homopolymères présentent une étroite polydispersité d’approximativement 1.1. Les polymérisations par addition séquentielle ont mis en évidence une trans-estérification (non observée dans les homopolymérisations) si BL ou CL sont introduits après un bloc lactide. / Diketimine ligands bearing N-benzyl, N-9-anthrylmethyl and N-mesitylmethyl substituents (nacnacBnH, nacnacAnH, and nacnacMesH) were prepared from condensation of amine with either acetyl acetone or its ethylene glycol monoketal. Chlorination of the 3-position was achieved using N-chlorosuccinimide, yielding ClnacnacBnH and ClnacnacAnH. The 3-position was also substituted by succinimido by lithiation of nacnacBnH followed by reaction with N-chlorosuccinimide (3-succinimido-nacnacBnH). N-aryl ligands nacnacippH and nacnacNaphH (ipp = 2-isopropylphenyl, Naph = 1-naphthyl) were prepared from literature. The ligands were reacted with Zn(TMSA)2 (TMSA = N(SiMe3)2) to yield nacnacAnZn(TMSA) and ClnacnacBnZn(TMSA). Protonation with isopropanol gave nacnacAnZnOiPr and ClnacnacBnZnOiPr. Reaction of the diketimines with Mg(TMSA)2 afforded nacnacAnMg(TMSA), nacnacMesMg(TMSA), ClnacnacBnMg(TMSA) and ClnacnacAnMg(TMSA). Subsequent protonation with tert-butanol produced nacnacMesMgOtBu and ClnacnacBnMgOtBu, but only decomposition was observed with N-anthrylmethyl substituents. Reaction of the diketimines with Cu(OiPr)2 yielded the heteroleptic [nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 and [3-Cl-nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 when using sterically undemanding ligands. When sterically more demanding diketimines were used, stabilization of the heteroleptic complex by dimerization was not possible, resulting in the formation of the homoleptic complexes Cu(nacnacipp)2 and Cu(nacnacNaph)2 by ligand exchange. Homoleptic complexes were also prepared with N-benzyl ligands, i. e. Cu(nacnacBn)2 and Cu(3-succinimido-nacnacBn)2. Even bulkier ligands such as nacnacAnH, nacnacMesH or N-methylbenzyl substituents failed to react with Cu(OiPr)2. Most complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. TMSA complexes and homoleptic complexes were monomeric, alkoxide complexes were dimeric in the solid state. All alkoxide complexes, as well as nacnacAnMg(TMSA)/BnOH and ClnacnacAnMg(TMSA)/BnOH were moderately to highly active in rac-lactide polymerization (90% conversion in 30 sec to 3 h). nacnacAnZnOiPr produced highly heterotactic polymer (Pr = 0.90), ClnacnacBnMgOtBu/BnOH produced slightly isotactic polymer at –30 °C (Pr = 0.43), all other catalysts produced atactic polymers with a slight heterotactic bias (Pr = 0.48 – 0.55). Heteroleptic complexes [nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 and [3-Cl-nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 are very highly active rac-lactide polymerization catalysts, with complete monomer conversion at ambient temperature in solution in 0.5 – 5 min. [nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 specifically polymerized in the presence or absence of isopropanol as a chain-transfer reagent with very high activity (k2 = 32 M–1•s–1), in methylene chloride. While in acetonitrile, THF, dichloromethane and toluene has a kobs = 2.4(1), 5.3(5), 3.6-4.4 and 10(1) min–1, respectively. [nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 yields narrow polydispersities and no evidence of side reactions such as transesterification, epimerization or catalyst decomposition. The homoleptic complexes in the presence of free alcohol, seem to be in equilibrium with small amounts of the respective heteroleptic complex, which are sufficient to complete polymerization in less than 60 min at room temperature. All Cu catalysts show high control of polymerization with polydispersities of 1.1 and below. The obtained polymers were essentially atactic, with a slight heterotactic bias at ambient temperature and at –17 °C. [nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr)]2 polymerizes -butyrolactone (BL), -caprolactone (CL) and -valerolactone (VL) with rate constants of kobs = 3.0(1)•10–2, 1.2–2.7•10–2, and 0.11(1) min–1, respectively. Homopolymers showed narrow polydispersities of appr. 1.1. Sequential addition polymerizations showed evidence for transesterification (not seen in homopolymerizations) if BL or CL are introduced after a lactide block.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a síntese e propriedades do copolímero poli(l,l-lactídeo-stat-e-caprolactona)-bloco-poli(óxido de etileno)-bloco-poli(l,l-lactideostat-e-caprolactona). Poli(óxido de etileno) de massa molar 20.000 u.m.a. e poli(óxido de etileno) modificado, preparado a partir de poli(glicol etilênico) de massa molar 4.000 u.m.a., foram selecionados para o processo da síntese. A reação foi feita pela polimerização por abertura de anel em massa a 120ºC usando octoanato de estanho como iniciador. A composição química de cada amostra foi determinada com auxílio de RMN-1H e RMN-13C e suas propriedades mecânicas foram verificadas e comparadas utilizando análises térmicas como DMTA, DSC, TG e a aplicação da MEV como análise complementar. A observação pelas fotos de MOLP permitiu a visualização do comportamento de nucleação dos copolímeros e as características de sua cristalinidade. Seu grau de cristalinidade e as fases cristalinas foram identificados por difração de raios X (WAXS). A biocompatibilidade do material também foi examinada pela cultura de células. Os resultados de caracterização indicam o sucesso da copolimerização, as propriedades elastoméricas e, sua não citotoxidade comprovaram a possibilidade do uso destes copolímeros como biomateriais. Contudo, o tempo prolongado de reação e baixa incorporação do monômero lactídeo ainda são questões a serem melhoradas para a viabilização do copolímero como material de implante na área biomédica. / This work includes the study of the synthesis and characterization of the copolymer poly(l,l-lactide-stat-e-caprolactone)-b-PEG-b-poly(l,l-lactide-stat-e-caprolactone). Poly (ethylene oxide) with molar weight 20.000 and poly(ethylene oxide) modified, prepared from poly(ethylene oxide) with molar weight 4000 have been selected for this synthesis process. The reaction was done by ring-opening bulk polymerization, using stannous octoate as initiator at 120ºC. The chemical composition of samples were determined by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR and their mechanical properties were verified using thermal analyses like DMTA, DSC and TG. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied as a complementary analysis. The pictures of polarizing optical microscopy showed us the copolymer\'s nucleation behaviors and their respective crystallization. The degrees of crystallinity and phase of copolymers were determined by WAXS. The biocompatibility of the copolymer was examined by cell cultivation test. The result of these analyses above indicated the success of synthesis. Their rubbery properties and non-toxicity allowed their application as biomaterial. However, the long reaction time and low incorporation of monomer of lactide might to be improved to increase its potential use in biomedical area in the future.