Biocompatible graft copolymers from bacterial poly(γ-glutamic acid) and poly(lactic acid)

Abstract

We report a novel approach for the modular and convergent construction of biocompatible graft copolymers starting from bacterial poly(γ-glutamic acid)(γ-PGA) and incorporating poly(lactic acid) (PLA). This synthesis strategy is controlled at different levels: (a) the choice of a suitable initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of lactide; (b) the chemical elaboration of the polylactic fragments; and (c) their convergent “grafting to” functionalization of bacterial γ-PGA propargyl ester using copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) click chemistry. The graft copolymers are characterized in terms of their thermal and macromolecular properties, their conformational preferences through molecular modelling, and their cytotoxicity.