Synthesis of polyesters bearing pendant hydroxyl side groups as carriers of biologically active agents

Polyesters bearing pendant hydroxyl side groups are potentially useful since they are, in principle, biodegradable and through the reactive side groups, it is possible to link biologically active residues. These type of polyesters, however, are difficult to prepare. In this work, the synthesis, characterization and the derivation of some polyesters and water-soluble poly ether-esters bearing pendant hydroxyl side groups are reported. In addition, the ability of poly ether-esters, involving poly(oxyethylene) sequences, to form interpolymer complexes with poly(carboxylic acid)s is discussed.