Abstract

Fluorescent crosslinking polyesters composed of a siloxane fatty ester, polyethylene glycols, and coumarin units were successfully synthesized via a polytransesterification reaction under melting and high vacuum conditions. Their respective structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis, showing that the different monomers, particularly the coumarin compound, were successfully covalently incorporated. The crosslinking polyesters displayed appropriate thermal properties and hydrogel-forming capabilities, and the incorporation of the fluorescent molecule showed improved swelling properties in water. The results determined by the rheological studies are promising thinking in potential different applications, and these fluorescent crosslinking polyesters showed to be biocompatible. Confocal microscopy revealed that the coumarin units are part of the polymer structure, conferring attractive fluorescent properties to these new crosslinking polyesters and their corresponding hydrogels.