Nanoparticles on the basis of highly functionalized dextrans

New nanoparticles based on well-defined dextran esters were prepared by a dialysis process. Dextran was converted into a propionate with a degree of substitution of 1.70 and, subsequently, acylated under homogeneous reaction conditions with a pyroglutamic acid imidazolide, which is prepared in situ by conversion of pyroglutamic acid with N,N-carbonyldiimidazole. The synthesis path allows perfect control of the amphiphilicity and solubility. The highly functionalized polysaccharide derivative avoids the collapse of the nanostructure due to the prevention of hydrogen bond formation. The major fraction of the dextran propionate pyroglutamate nanoparticles investigated by SEM and AFM exhibits narrow size distribution with 370 nm as mean diameter and uniform spherical shape. The SEM image verifies that polymeric nanoparticles in the suspensions did not undergo any morphological changes within 3 weeks. Copyright © 2005 American Chemical Society.