which is related to a possible synthetic operation NATURE OF HUMAN BODY
The human body is a rich source of potential
building blocks that can be used to synthesize new biomaterials, which upon degradation are removed from the body via their natural metabolic pathway(s) ADVANTAGES Biomaterials synthesized from metabolic synthons have advantages such as improved biocompatibility and minimal build-up of toxic degradation products in the body. In addition, a number of commodity and specialty polymers are derived from petrochemical building blocks, and do not degrade to appreciable extents in the environment. Interest in biodegradable polymers from renewable resources has amplified as petrochemical sources and available landfill space begin to dwindle. DIHYDROXYACETONE (DHA) FOCUS OF PROJECT Focus is on the synthesis of new biodegradable polymers based on the three carbon ketose, dihydroxyacetone. DHA is a metabolite of glucose in humans and is manufactured as a fermentative product of both corn syrup and methanol. DHA is also approved by the governmental regulatory agencies for human consumption However, polymerization of DHA into characterizable materials has been challenging because it is in equilibrium with its dimer in solution, and is susceptible to nucleophilic attack at the C2 carbon. To date there are no published reports of well-defined polymers derived from DHA. Research group has discovered how to synthesize three different classes of polymeric materials derived from DHA: polycarbonates, poly(carbonate-acetal)s and polyspiroacetals.
Each synthetic route was designed to have a
minimum number of steps to enhance their potential economic viability
The properties of these materials are
intriguing and have a number of potential applications. For example, their initial results show that the deprotected form of DHA polycarbonate (V, Scheme 1A) strongly adheres to proteins. These materials are being investigated for their potential as application as bioadhesives The poly(carbonate-acetal)s in Scheme 1B are thermally resistant (Td > 300°C), but the acetal linkage provides a handle to tailor their rate of degradation in the environment These materials are currently being investigated for their ability to control the rate of pesticide release into crop fields Lastly, the polyspiroacetals of 1C are insoluble in aqueous solvents, but their surfaces are hydrophilic with H2O contact angles equal to polyethylene oxide (Θ ~57 °). Thank you