The Production of Polysarcosine‐Containing Nanoparticles by Ring‐Opening Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly

Abstract

AbstractN‐carboxyanhydride ring‐opening polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (NCA ROPISA) offers a convenient route for generating poly(amino acid)‐based nanoparticles in a single step, crucially avoiding the need for post‐polymerization self‐assembly. Most examples of NCA ROPISA make use of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrophilic stabilizing block, however this non‐biodegradable, oil‐derived polymer may cause an immunological response in some individuals. Alternative water‐soluble polymers are therefore highly sought. This work reports the synthesis of wholly poly(amino acid)‐based nanoparticles, through the chain‐extension of a polysarcosine macroinitiator with L‐Phenylalanine‐NCA (L‐Phe‐NCA) and Alanine‐NCA (Ala‐NCA), via aqueous NCA ROPISA. The resulting polymeric structures comprise of predominantly anisotropic, rod‐like nanoparticles, with morphologies primarily influenced by the secondary structure of the hydrophobic poly(amino acid) that enables their formation.