PEG Hydrogel via o-Phthalaldehyde Crosslinking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polyethylene glycol hydrogels have slow gel-forming speeds, poor stability, low mechanical strength, and require toxic catalysts, limiting their application in the biomedical field.

Innovation Solution

A polyethylene glycol derivative with a specific repeat unit structure and a terminal o-phthalaldehyde group is developed, which can react quickly with various groups under mild conditions to form a polyethylene glycol hydrogel with rapid crosslinking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyethylene glycol is derivatized to produce terminal groups with different functions, then chemical cross-linking can be achieved, but the gel-forming speed becomes slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-linking capabilityVSAvoidgel-forming speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the terminal group from conventional aldehyde or amino groups to o-phthalaldehyde group, which has higher reactivity and enables faster cross-linking reaction while maintaining cross-linking capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining polyethylene glycol backbone with o-phthalaldehyde terminal groups, achieving both cross-linking capability and rapid gel formation through the synergistic effect of the unique molecular structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional polyethylene glycol hydrogels are prepared, then cross-linking can be achieved, but mechanical strength becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-linking capabilityVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical reactivity parameter by introducing o-phthalaldehyde terminal groups that form stronger and more stable cross-links compared to conventional terminal groups, resulting in improved mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If polyethylene glycol terminal hydroxyl groups are used directly, then preparation is simple, but reactivity is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreparation simplicityVSAvoidreaction rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the terminal group from hydroxyl to o-phthalaldehyde, significantly increasing reactivity while maintaining a relatively simple preparation process through derivatization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If prior art methods are used to prepare polyethylene glycol hydrogel, then cross-linking can be achieved, but toxic catalysts are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-linking capabilityVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The o-phthalaldehyde terminal groups enable the polyethylene glycol to self-crosslink through spontaneous reaction with amino groups, eliminating the need for external toxic catalysts while maintaining cross-linking capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The resulting hydrogel exhibits fast gel-forming speed, high mechanical strength, excellent tissue adhesion, and good biocompatibility, making it suitable for applications such as drug carriers, tissue engineering scaffolds, and hemostatic coatings.

Implementation Method 1

The polyethylene glycol derivative provided by the present invention can react with various groups such as amino, (acyl)hydrazino, and aminooxy with a fast reaction rate and under mild reaction conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12297320B2Polyethylene glycol derivative, preparation method thereof, and polyethylene glycol hydrogel capable of producing a rapid crosslinking reaction

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 CHANGCHUN INSTITUTE OF APPLIED CHEMISTRY CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

AI summary

The present invention provides a polyethylene glycol derivative comprising a repeat unit having the structure of Formula (I) and a terminal group having the structure of Formula (II). The polyethylene glycol derivative provided by the present invention has good biocompatibility, due to the repeat unit having the structure of Formula (I); and can react with various groups such as amino, (acyl)hydrazino, and aminooxy with a fast reaction rate under mild reaction conditions, due to the o-phthalaldehyde terminal group having the structure of Formula (II). The polyethylene glycol derivative provided by the present invention is mixed with polyethylene glycol having an amino-containing terminal group in an aqueous medium, to rapidly form a chemically cross-linked hydrogel material. The hydrogel material has mild preparation conditions, fast gel-forming speed, high mechanical strength, and good stability. This polyethylene glycol hydrogel can be applied as drug sustained-release carrier, tissue engineering scaffold, etc. in the field of biomedical materials.