Amphiphilic Scorpion-like Macromolecules:  Design, Synthesis, and Characterization

A series of novel amphiphilic scorpion-like macromolecules (AScMs) were designed for optimized drug encapsulation and transport. The branched hydrophobic domains were prepared by acylation of mucic acid with varying chain lengths of acyl chlorides. Monohydroxylated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was conjugated onto the hydrophobic domain to form the final polymers. Fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering were performed to determine the critical micelle concentrations (cmc) and aggregation particle sizes, respectively. By changing the length of PEG and acyl chains, the physicochemical properties (e.g., M w, HLB, T m, cmc) of AScMs are controlled. Low cmc values (10 -5 −10 -7 mol/L) and small particle sizes (10−20 nm) of AScMs are potentially applicable for lipophilic drug delivery applications.