New Functional Polymers for Medical Applications.

Recent results on both cationic and anionic functional polymers and macromonomers obtained by Michael-type polyaddition reactions as well as a new method for obtaining sec-amino-end-functionalized PEG, are described. The new families of macromolecular substances include poly(ethyleneglycol-amido-amine-urethanes) (PEGAAU), block copolymers between poly(ethyleneglycols) and poly(amido-amines) (PEG-PAA), block copolymers between poly(ethyleneglycols) and poly(amido-thioether-amines) (PEG-PATA), and poly(thioether-amido-acids) (PTAA). Crosslinked, potentially hydrolyzable carboxylated resins based on the last family are also reported. The new polymers and macromonomers are mainly intended for surface-modification of common materials and biomaterials through surface-grafting.