| abstract |
The present invention describes the preparation of aminoalcohol lipids by reacting amines with epoxide-terminated compounds. The present invention also provides methods for preparing aminoalcohol lipids from commercially available starting materials. Amino alcohol lipids can be prepared from racemic or stereochemically pure epoxides. Amino alcohol lipids or salt forms thereof are preferably biodegradable and biocompatible and are useful in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the amino moiety of these aminoalcohol lipid compounds, they are particularly suitable for the delivery of polynucleotides. Complexes, micelles, liposomes or particles containing lipidoids of the invention and polynucleotides have been prepared. The lipidoids of the invention can also be used to prepare microparticles for drug delivery. Given its ability to buffer the pH of its environment, it is especially useful for delivering labile pharmaceuticals. |