Polymerization of lactides and lactones, 12 - Synthesis of poly[(glycolic acid)-alt-(L-glutamic acid)] and poly{(lactic acid)-co-[(glycolic acid)-alt(L-glutamic acid)]}

Glutamic acid/glycolic acid-based biodegradable polymers have been prepared by ring-opening polymerization of (3S)-3-[(benzylcarbonyl)ethylene] morpho line-2,5-dione, and the copolymerization of the morpholine-2,5-dione deriva tive and lactide. The homopolymerization and copolymerization were carried out in bulk at 140 degreesC with SnOct(2) as a catalyst to give the corresp onding protected poly(Glc-alt-Glu) and protected poly[LA-co(Glc-alt-Glu)], respectively. After removal of the protective group by catalytic hydrogenat ion with Pd/C(5%) as a catalyst, poly(Glc-alt-Glu) and poly [LA-co-(Glc-alt -Glu)] showed excellent hydrophilicity.