Synthesis and Fluorescent Properties of Biodegradable Hyperbranched Poly(amido amine)s

Abstract

Abstract Disulfide‐functionalized hyperbranched poly(amido amine)s (HPAMAMs) were synthesized by Michael addition polymerization of N,N '‐cystaminebisacrylamide and 1‐(2‐aminoethyl)piperazine. The novel HPAMAMs displayed bright fluorescence, and the emissions bands cover nearly the whole visible wavelength range. When polymer solutions were excited at 330–385, 460–490, and 510–550 nm, blue, green, and red solutions were observed, respectively. The HPAMAMs are biodegradable and they can be easily cleaved by 2‐mercaptoethanol or glutathione, leading to a decrease in the fluorescence intensity. Studies of applications of the biocompatible and biodegradable HPAMAMs in fluorescence imaging technology and biological science are in progress. magnified image