Preparation, thermoresponsive behavior, and preliminary biological study of functionalized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-dopamine methacrylamide) copolymers with an organotin(IV) compound

Recent advances focused on smart polymers have demonstrated the numerous advantages regarding other structures because they can adapt the behavior depending on physicochemical properties. In this way, functionalized thermoresponsive polymers with organometallic complexes were profoundly analyzed. Consequently, novel catalytic systems or biomedical devices could be developed. This publication focuses on the facile preparation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-dopamine methacrylamide) copolymers functionalized with triphenyltin chloride by protonolysis through the –OH of catechol groups. The presence of hydrophobic organotin(IV) derivatives could modify the solubility, thermoresponsive behavior, and other properties regarding pure copolymers. Also, sensitive analysis of the microstructure could help to understand the changes associated with the lower critical solution temperature by rheology, UV–vis spectroscopy, and calorimetry. In addition, a preliminary biological study against MDA-MB-231 cancer cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed that the functionalized copolymers could be a potential platform to be explored in the future in the fight against cancer. •New biomaterials based on smart polymers and metallodrugs which could release the drug depending on the tissue's status.•Facile functionalization of copolymers by protonolysis through the –OH of catechol groups.•The organometallic complexes promote hydrophobic interactions over the polymeric chain segments of N-isopropylacrylamide, reducing the highest LCST.•Preliminary biological study against MDA-MB-231 cancer cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).