Polyglycidol - how is it synthesized and what is it used for?

This paper presents a short review on the synthesis and properties of polyglycidol (PGL) and its derivatives and on selected medical applications of polyglycidol-containing materials. These materials are often used in the fabrication of medical diagnostic tests and biosensors as well as in bioseparation, biocatalysis and drug delivery systems. Various methods for the polymerization of glycidol (cationic, anionic) are described. Regardless of the synthesis method, each glycidol polymerization process yields branched macromolecules. However, glycidol with protected hydroxyl group can be anionically polymerized, which yields linear polyglycidol after deprotection of the hydroxyl groups. Modifications of the polyglycidol hydroxyl side and end groups and the syntheses of polyglycidol-containing copolymers with various architectures are discussed. A macromonomer, the polyglycidol derivative, alpha-tert-butoxy-omega-vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol was used as a surfmer in emulsion polymerization of styrene in water. This synthesis method produces core-shell microspheres [P(S/PGL)] that possess a very low (usually less than 1.06) diameter dispersity parameter D-w/D-n (where D-w and D-n denote the weight and number average diameters, respectively). The relationships between the concentration of macromonomer in the polymerization mixture and the concentration of polyglycidol in the particle interfacial layer, final particle diameters and the suitability of the particles for binding biomolecules are discussed. Selected applications of the polyglycidol macromonomer and P(S/PGL) microspheres for the preparation of some materials are described.