Design, Synthesis and Characterization of 1,2-Phenylenediamine Functionalized Poly(Maleic Anhydride-alt-Vinyl Acetate) as a Potential New Bioactive Formulation

This study includes the design, synthesis and characterization of 1,2-phenylenediamine (o-PDA) functionalized maleic anhydride (MA)-vinyl acetate (VA) copolymer-based conjugate to develop a new formulation. The 1,2-phenylenediamine molecule is a fluorescent dye that allows designing new chemotherapeutic polymeric molecules. Poly(maleic anhydride-alt-vinyl acetate) [Poly(MA-alt-VA)] was obtained via charge transfer complex (CTC) radical polymerization presence of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), utilizing benzoyl peroxide (BPO) free-radical initiator at 80 °C, as a potential functional polymeric carrier. Structural characterization of the surface functionalized poly(MA-alt-VA)/1,2-PDA conjugate was performed by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR). Spectroscopic methods and water solubility results confirmed that the conjugation took place successfully after the ring opening reaction by the amidation mechanism.