NOVEL FLUORINATED SURFACTANTS FOR PERFLUOROCHEMICAL EMULSIFICATION - BIOCOMPATIBILITY ASSESSMENTS OF GLYCOSIDIC AND POLYOL DERIVATIVES

A novel series of fluoro-surfactants, derived from glycosides (monosac charides) or polyols (ureas or carbamates), have been produced for use in respiratory gas-carrying perfluorochemical emulsions. Compounds we re synthesised via simple, but highly selective, routes using highly f luorinated isocyanates with amino alcohols, polyethoxylated alcohols a nd partially protected sugars at anomeric carbon; yields were 88-95%. Resultant compounds were perfluoroalkylated with hydroxylic ''head'' g roups. The biocompatibility of surfactants with human blood in vitro w as assessed using a conventional haemolyis test. Compounds showing ins ignificant haemolysis at up to 10 g l(-1) were further evaluated (i) f or their effects on neutrophil chemiluminescence, and (ii) in a human platelet aggregation assay. Some fluoro-surfactants inhibited spontane ous platelet aggregation, in blood anti-coagulated with hirudin, at co ncentrations of 0.01% (w/v), suggesting possible applications as antit hrombotic agents.