Synthesis and characterization of antiseptic-based poly(anhydride-esters).

Poly(anhydride-esters) were prepared from catechol, fenticlor and hexachlorophene. The molecular weights (M) of the polymers were typically > 10,000 Da with glass transition temperatures (T) ranging from 23 to 84 °C. The thermal characteristics of the polymers paralleled the melting temperatures of the chemically incorporated antiseptic molecules. The release of the chemically incorporated antiseptic molecules were monitored over a 12 week period. For comparison, the release of physically admixed antiseptic molecules were also observed. After 12 weeks, the polymers were not completely degraded with drug release ranging from less than 1 to 55 %. Sessile-drop contact angles indicated that the polymers were relatively hydrophobic, contributing to the slow polymer degradation rates.