Phase transfer-catalyzed synthesis of highly acrylated hyaluronan

Glycosaminoglycans and its derivatives have gained increasing attention for the fabrication of hydrogels usable in biomedicine. Starting from high molecular weight hyaluronan, a natural glycosaminoglycan that forms a mayor component of the native extracellular matrix, we present an efficient phase-transfer-based synthesis for low molecular weight hyaluronan acrylates with a tailored degree of substitution (DS) ranging up to DS values of 1.7. The ability of these compounds to form dimensionally stable hydrogels was proven using different photo-initiator systems.

► Hyaluronan acrylates were prepared using phase-transfer conditions. ► High degrees of acrylation ranging up to 1.7 per disaccharide repeating unit are accessible. ► Synthesized hyaluronan acrylates form dimensionally stable hydrogels by UV or visible light initiated photo-crosslinking.