2D- and 3D-microstructured biodegradable polyester resins

Biodegradable polyester resins were prepared via photo crosslinking of functional polyesters obtained by copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and the functional cyclic esters γ-acryloyloxy-ε-caprolactone (ACL) and γ-methacryloyloxy-ε-caprolactone (MCL). The cyclic esters were prepared via Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the corresponding 4-acyloyloxy- cyclohexanone derivatives. Copolymers with different content of either acryloyloxy or methacryloyloxy functional groups were prepared via catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of γ-acyloyloxy-ε-caprolactones and ε-caprolactone using Al(OiPr)₃ as catalyst and initiator. 2D- and 3D-micropatterning of the copolymers was performed via UV-crosslinking of polymer films on a suitable substrate and by UV replica molding on both rigid and elastic masters, showing the processability of these novel functional polyesters and their potential as substrates for biomedical devices.