A new type of base-triggered self-amplifying degradable polyurethane is reported that degrades under mild conditions, with the release of increasing amounts of amine product leading to self-amplified degradation. The polymer incorporates a base-sensitive Fmoc-derivative into every repeating unit to enable highly sensitive amine amplified degradation. A sigmoidal degradation curve for the linear polymer was observed consistent with a self-amplifying degradation mechanism. An analogous cross-linked polyurethane gel was prepared and also found to undergo amplified breakdown. In this case, a trace amount of localized base initiates the degradation, which in turn propagates through the material in an amplified manner. The results demonstrate the potential utility of these new generation polyurethanes in enhanced disposability and as stimuli responsive materials.

中文翻译：

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碱触发的自扩增可降解聚氨酯，具有将局部刺激转化为连续长期降解的能力

据报道，一种新型的碱触发自扩增可降解聚氨酯在温和的条件下会降解，释放出越来越多的胺产物会导致自扩增降解。该聚合物在每个重复单元中均加入了对碱敏感的Fmoc衍生物，以实现高度敏感的胺放大降解。观察到线性聚合物的S形降解曲线与自放大降解机理一致。制备了类似的交联聚氨酯凝胶，并且发现其经历了放大的分解。在这种情况下，痕量的局部碱基引发降解，而降解又以放大的方式传播通过材料。