HYDROGELS BASED ON 3-O-ACRYLOYL-1,2-5,6-DI-O-ISOPROPYLIDENE-ALPHA-D(-)-GLUCOFURANOSE

Hydrogels (crosslinked polymers with a defined water content) based on 3-O-acryloyl-1,2;5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D(-)-glucofuranose and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate were prepared by radical copolymerization and acid hydrolysis of the isopropylidene protecting groups. The obtained hydrogel samples were examined for linear expansion to hydration, weight-percent hydration, refractive index, extractables, percent transmission of visible light and oxygen permeability as typical properties for contact lens materials.