Cross‐linking of γ‐Cyclodextrin Using Non‐toxic Polyethylene Glycol Spacer Units

The crystalline cyclic oligosaccharide γ-cyclodextrin (γCD) is a natural, non-toxic and biodegradable precursor that can be used to prepare innovative polymers. We cross-linked γCD with variable quantities of polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) in aqueous NaOH form 3D structures tunable physicochemical properties. Mixtures 5 : 1 PEGDGE:γCD molar ratio produced material was soluble water organic solvents, underwent glass transition at −23 °C. properties this were further modified by additional curing PEGDGE or nitration reaction. Curing an insoluble polymeric excellent swelling abilities (200 % water) decreased temperature −37 nitrated common solvents +19 °C, achieving thermal stability below 190 These novel polymers are promising materials for applications the pharmaceutical food industries environmental remediation.