Photoresponsive polyesters by incorporation of alkoxyphenacyl or coumarin chromophores along the backbone.

The synthesis and photochemical characterization of two classes of photoresponsive polyesters are described. These polyesters contain either alkoxyphenacyl or coumarin chromophores embedded along the polymer chain. The alkoxyphenacyl polyesters undergo efficient photoinduced chain scission upon irradiation at 300 nm in solution or as a nanoparticle suspension. At 254 nm the coumarin polyesters undergo polymer chain scission. Irradiation of the coumarin polyesters in solution at 350 nm results in both chain crosslinking and chain scission behavior, while irradiation of the coumarin polyesters as nanoparticles results in chain crosslinking. The properties of the alkoxyphenacyl and coumarin polyesters are influenced by the choice of diacid as seen from their thermal behavior. The use of glutamic acid enabled surface or bulk functionalization of the photoresponsive polymers. In addition, controlled release of Nile Red from coumarin polyester nanoparticles is demonstrated by modulation of the wavelength and intensity of irradiation.