Boronic Acid Hydroxamic Acid Crosslinked Polymers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymeric compositions often require extreme conditions for preparation and crosslinking, which are not compatible with biological environments, and lack the ability to dynamically change viscoelastic properties, limiting their medical applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of polymeric compositions that can be crosslinked in situ using boronic acid and hydroxamic acid moieties, forming reversible covalent bonds, allowing for dynamic restructuring and self-healing under mild aqueous conditions, enabling pH-dependent viscoelastic behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polymer preparation methods are used, then polymer networks can be formed with structural integrity, but extreme conditions (high temperature, exotic reagents, toxic catalysts) are required that are not compatible with biological environments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the crosslinking reaction by using boronic acid and hydroxamic acid moieties that react under mild, physiological conditions (pH 4-9, room temperature) instead of extreme conditions. This allows polymer formation to be biologically compatible while maintaining structural integrity through covalent crosslinking.
Solution Approach 2:
The boronic acid-hydroxamic acid pair acts as a benign intermediary system that enables crosslinking without requiring toxic catalysts or extreme conditions. These moieties serve as intermediaries that facilitate polymer network formation through reversible covalent bonding under physiological conditions.
2Strength
If conventional crosslinking methods are used, then rigidity can be provided to the polymer system, but reactive crosslinkers and extreme conditions are required that react with cells and tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harm of reactive crosslinking into a benefit by using boronic acid-hydroxamic acid chemistry that forms reversible covalent bonds. These bonds provide the necessary rigidity for polymer networks while being reversible under physiological conditions, preventing permanent damage to biological tissues and allowing dynamic adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The crosslinking system incorporates dynamic reversibility through boronic acid-hydroxamic acid bonds that can form and break under physiological conditions. This dynamic character allows the polymer network to restructure in response to biological environments while maintaining sufficient rigidity for structural applications.
3Stability of the object's composition
If permanent crosslinks are formed, then structural stability is achieved, but the polymer network cannot dynamically restructure or self-heal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamic crosslinks using boronic acid-hydroxamic acid chemistry that exists in equilibrium between bonded and unbound states. This dynamic character enables the polymer network to restructure, self-heal, and adapt to changing conditions while maintaining sufficient stability through the reversible covalent bonds.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversible crosslinking equilibrium can be shifted by changing parameters such as pH, temperature, or concentration. This allows the polymer network to transition between more stable and more dynamic states as needed, providing both structural integrity and adaptability depending on environmental conditions.
4Reliability
If polymers are prepared before use, then sufficient time for polymerization is allowed, but the preparation requires extreme conditions incompatible with the intended biological environment
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer precursors (monomers or oligomers with boronic acid or hydroxamic acid moieties) can be prepared in advance under mild conditions, then stored until needed. The actual crosslinking and gelation occur in situ under physiological conditions, eliminating the need for pre-polymerization under extreme conditions and allowing ready-to-use formulations for medical applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These compositions can be formed and crosslinked in biological environments without extreme conditions, exhibiting shear thinning and viscoelastic recovery properties, enhancing their suitability for medical applications such as injectable drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Implementation Method 1
crosslinked by a crosslinking moiety formed from a reaction between a boronic acid moiety and a hydroxamic acid moiety
Implementation Method 2
exhibiting shear thinning and viscoelastic recovery properties
Implementation Method 3
exhibiting shear thinning and viscoelastic recovery properties
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are polymeric compositions that comprise at least one polymer residue and at least one crosslinking moiety, wherein the polymer residue is crosslinked by the crosslinking moiety and wherein the crosslinking moiety is formed from a reaction between a boronic acid moiety and a hydroxamic acid moiety. Also, described are methods of making and using such polymeric compositions.