Controllable synthesis and micelles preparation of tri-block copolymers from 2,2-dimethyl-trimethylene carbonate and ethylene glycol

Amphiphilic triblock copolymer of poly(2,2-dimethyl-trimethylene carbonate)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(2,2-dimethyl trimethylene carbonate) (PDTC–PEG–PDTC) was synthesized by dihydroxyl capped PEG with molecular weight of 1,000, 4,000, and 6,000 in the presence of rare earth tris(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate)s. The rare earth phenolates/PEG system could prepare triblock copolymer with predictable molecular weights with narrow molecular weight distribution. The polymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromotography, and differential scanning calorimetry to confirm the structure. The micelles formed from the amphiphilic triblock copolymer were determined by fluorescence spectrophotometer and dynamic light scattering. The critical micelle concentrations fell in the range of 1.67∼5.25 mg/L. Transmission electron microscopy pictures showed that the micelles possess spherical morphology, and the diameters of micelles in number averaged scale ranged from 20–70 nm. The micelles formed from triblock amphiphilic copolymers were explored as carrier for indomethacin (IND), and they could enhance IND solubility in water dramatically.