title: Oligomeric hydrogels self-assembled from reduction-controlled condensation.
abstract: Polymer hydrogels and small-molecule-based (SMB) supramolecular hydrogels have been widely explored. But oligomeric hydrogels have remained a challenge because synthetic difficulties of the oligomers and control of their amphiphilicities. Reported herein is the rational design of two precursors Cys(SEt)-Lys-CBT (1) and (Cys-Lys-CBT)2 (2) (CBT=2-cyano-6-aminobenzothiazole) and the use of a biocompatible condensation to prepare oligomeric hydrogels. Glutathione reduction of 1 or 2 yields the same gelator Cys-Lys-CBT (3) which condenses with each other to yield amphiphilic cyclic oligomers. The oligomers instantly self-assemble into nanofibers and form oligomeric hydrogels with similar mechanic properties. Chemical analyses indicated that the major condensation product in both two hydrogels is a cyclic dimer. Considering its biocompatibility, optimal mechanical strength, and biodegradability, we believe that our oligomeric hydrogel might be useful for long-term drug delivery in the future.
authors: CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui 230026 (China) http://lianglab.ustc.edu.cn/
authors: Shuang
authors: S
authors: Liu
authors: Anming
authors: A
authors: Tang
authors: Maolin
authors: M
authors: Xie
authors: Yundan
authors: Y
authors: Zhao
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Jiang
authors: Gaolin
authors: G
authors: Liang
mesh_terms: D005978:Glutathione / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D011108:Polymers; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: hydrogel; nanostructures; oligomerization; self-assembly