The Production of Polysarcosine-Containing Nanoparticles by Ring-Opening Polymerisation-Induced Self-Assembly.

N-carboxyanhydride ring-opening polymerisation-induced self-assembly (NCA ROPISA) offers a convenient route for generating poly(amino acid)-based nanoparticles in a single step, crucially avoiding the need for post-polymerisation self-assembly. Most examples of NCA ROPISA make use of a poly(ethylene glycol) hydrophilic stabilising block, however this non-biodegradable, oil-derived, polymer and may cause an immunological response in some individuals. Alternative water-soluble polymers are therefore highly sought. We report the synthesis of wholly poly(amino acid)-based nanoparticles, through the chain-extension of a polysarcosine macroinitiator with L-Phenylalanine-NCA (L-Phe-NCA) and Alanine-NCA (Ala-NCA), via aqueous NCA ROPISA. The resulting polymeric structures comprise of predominantly anisotropic, rod-like nanoparticles, with morphologies primarily influenced by the secondary structure of the hydrophobic poly(amino acid) that enables their formation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.