Synthesis and structural analysis of polyester prodrugs of norfloxacin.

Two-, three- and four-arm, star-shaped poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly(D,L-lactide) homopolymers, and copolymers of epsilon-caprolactone with D,L-lactide were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters in the presence of glycerol, penthaerythritol and poly(ethylene glycol) as initiators and stannous octoate as a catalyst. Thus obtained oligomers were successfully used in the synthesis of novel macromolecular prodrugs of norfloxacin. The structures of the polymers and prodrugs were elucidated by means of MALDI-TOF MS, NMR and IR studies.