Michael Addition Polymerization of Trifunctional Amine and Acrylic Monomer: A Versatile Platform for Development of Biomaterials

Michael addition polymerizations of amines and acrylic monomers are versatile approaches to biomaterials for various applications. A combinatorial library of poly(β-amino ester)s and diverse poly(amido amine)s from diamines and diacrylates or bis(acrylamide)s have been reported, respectively. Furthermore, novel linear and hyperbranched polymers from Michael addition polymerizations of trifunctional amines and acrylic monomers significantly enrich this category of biomaterials. In this Review, we focus on the biomaterials from Michael addition polymerizations of trifunctional amines and acrylic monomers. First we discuss how the polymerization mechanisms, which are determined by the reactivity sequence of the three types of amines of trifunctional amines, i.e., secondary (2°) amines (original), primary (1°) amines, and 2° amines (formed), are affected by the chemistry of monomers, reaction temperature, and solvent. Then we update how to design and synthesize linear and hyperbranched polymers based on the understanding of polymerization mechanisms. Linear polymers containing 2° amines in the backbones can be obtained from polymerizations of diacrylates or bis(acrylamide)s with equimolar trifunctional amine, and several approaches, e.g., 2A2+BB′B″, A3+2BB′B′, A2+BB′B″, to hyperbranched polymers are developed. Further through molecular design of monomers, conjugation of functional species to 2° amines in the backbones of linear polymers and the abundant terminal groups of hyperbranched polymers, the amphiphilicity of polymers can be adjusted, and additional stimuli, e.g., thermal, redox, reactive oxidation species (ROS), and light, responses can be integrated with the intrinsic pH response. Finally we discuss the applications of the polymers for gene/drug delivery and bioimaging through exploring their self-assemblies in various motifs, e.g., micelles, polyplexes particles/nanorings and hydrogels. Redox-responsive hyperbranched polymers can display 300 times higher in vitro gene transfection efficiency and provide a higher in vivo siRNA efficacy than PEI. Also redox-responsive micelle carriers can improve the efficacy of anticancer drug and the bioimaging contrast. Further molecular design and optimization of this category of polymers together with in vivo studies should provide safe and efficient biomaterials for clinical applications.