Abstract
In this preliminary work we have prepared a fluorinated polymer capable of solubilizing an appreciable amount of O~2~ and, at the same time, maintaining a higher water solubility than perfluoroalkanes investigated as injectable O~2~ carriers. In particular, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a new macromolecular conjugate obtained by derivatization of α,β‐poly(N‐2‐hydroxyethyl)‐DL‐aspartamide (PHEA) with 5‐pentafluorophenyl‐3‐perfluoroheptyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole, called PHEA‐F. This new water soluble fluoropolymer was prepared in high yield using a simple procedure. It was characterized by FT‐IR and UV‐vis spectrophotometry, ^19^F‐NMR and SEC measurements. O~2~ solubility studies on PHEA‐F aqueous solutions were carried out at 25 °C and 37 °C at atmospheric pressure and showed that PHEA‐F conjugate, despite its low degree of derivatization in fluorine containing groups (2.60 mol‐%), is capable of dissolving 13–15% more O~2~ than non‐fluorinated PHEA. Moreover, O~2~ release in simulated physiological conditions is faster for PHEA‐F than for PHEA. The biocompatibility of this conjugate has been evaluated by performing an in vitro viability assay on human chronic myelogenous leukaemia cells (K‐562) chosen as a model cell line and in vitro haemolysis experiments on human RBCs. All these properties suggest the potential use of PHEA‐F as an artificial O~2~ carrier.
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