Synthesis, characterization, and biocompatibility of novel injectable, biodegradable, and in situ crosslinkable polycarbonate-based macromers

A series of novel self-crosslinkable and biodegradable polymers, poly(hexamethylene carbonate-fumarate) and poly(hexamethylene carbonate) diacrylate, and their amphiphilic copolymers with polyethylene glycol, poly(ethylene glycol fumarate-co-hexamethylene carbonate-fumarate) (PEGF-co-PHMCF), were developed for tissue engineering using propylene oxide as an acid scavenger. The synthesized polymers are white, which makes them more suitable for self-crosslinking via photopolymerization. These novel polymers were fully characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and rheometry. The cytocompatibility of the photocrosslinked networks were evaluated by [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. These polymers can be used as precursors to prepare polymer networks and scaffolds with controlled hydrophilicity, biodegradability, and mechanical characteristics. Results obtained suggest that these polymers are potentially useful as injectable and photocrosslinkable materials for cell delivery, tissue engineering, and drug delivery applications.