Synthesis and characterization of antiseptic-based poly(anhydride-esters)

Poly(anhydride-esters) were prepared from catechol, fenticlor and hexachlorophene. The molecular weights (M_w) of the polymers were typically > 10,000 Da with glass transition temperatures (T_g) ranging from 23 to 84 °C. The thermal characteristics of the polymers paralleled the melting temperatures of the chemically incorporated antiseptic molecules. The in vitro release of the chemically incorporated antiseptic molecules were monitored over a 12 week period. For comparison, the in vitro release of physically admixed antiseptic molecules were also observed. After 12 weeks, the polymers were not completely degraded with drug release ranging from less than 1 to 55 %. Sessile-drop contact angles indicated that the polymers were relatively hydrophobic, contributing to the slow polymer degradation rates.