Ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters initiated by cyclodextrins

Abstract

Aliphatic polyesters and cyclodextrins are widely used for biomedical applications, due to their biocompatible and biodegradable character, and to the possibility to host molecules of pharmaceutical interest for the latter. Cyclodextrins have been used as initiators or co-initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters these last years, leading to functionalized polyesters. This mini-review reports recent developments in this field.