DEGRADABLE ALKOXIDE-CROSS-LINKED HYDROGELS

Degradable acrylate hydrogels have been synthesized by using hydrolyti cally unstable crosslinkers which break down with prolonged exposure t o water. Chelated zirconium alkoxide compounds were used to crosslink poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gels which degraded within days to weeks a s the crosslinkers hydrolyze. Several types of crosslinkers were synth esized by varying the zirconium alkoxide and the number of crosslinkin g vinyl groups attached to the alkoxide cluster. UV spectroscopy and r heological measurements were used to follow the degradation of these g els. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.