A series of salicylic acid-derived poly(anhydride-esters) were synthesized by melt polym erization methods, in which the structures of the molecule ("linker") linking together the two salicylic acids were varied. To determine the relationship between the linker and the physical properties of the corresponding poly(anhydride-ester), several linkers were evaluated including linear aliphatic, aromatic, and aliphatic branched structures. For the linear aliphatic linkers, higher molecular weights were obtained with longer linear alkyl chains. The most sterically hindered linkers yielded lower molecular weight polymers. The thermal decomposition temperature increased with the alkyl chain length, but the glass transition temperature decreased, due to the enhanced flexibility of the polymer. The highest glass transition temperatures were obtained by using aromatic linkers as a result of increased π-π interactions. Water contact angles determined the relative hydrophobicity of the polymers, which correlated to hydrolytic degradation rates; i.e., the highest contact angle values yielded the slowest degrading polymers.

Summary The synthesis of a salicylate-based poly(anhydride-ester) was optimized to improve the overall efficiency and quality of the polymer. First, a new approach for the preparation of the polymer precursor minimizes the overall number of synthetic steps and increases the overall yield. Second, the melt-polymerization apparatus was modified to include dynamic mixing, which yields polymer with increased molecular weights on both the milligram and gram scale.

This paper describes the synthesis and cytotoxicity of poly(anhydride esters) that are composed of several salicylate derivatives, including halogenated salicylates, aminosalicylates, salicylsalicylic acid, and thiolsalicylic acid. The incorporation of these nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) into a biodegradable polymer backbone yields drug-based polymers that have potential for a variety of applications. The poly(anhydride esters) were synthesized by melt condensation polymerization. The halogenated salicylate derivatives yielded the highest molecular polymers as well as the highest glass transition temperatures. All polymers displayed in vitro degradation lag times from 1 to 3 days, depending on the water solubility of the salicylate derivative. Cell viability and proliferation were determined with L929 fibroblast cells in serum-containing medium to assess the polymer cytotoxicities, which varied as a function of the saliyclate chemistry. Cell morphology was normal for most of the polymers evaluated.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a novel polymer that biodegrades into salicylic acid (SA) on the healing of critical sized long bone defects. Microspheres of the homopolymer, or a copolymer containing 50% less of the SA, were packed into 5-mm mid-diaphyseal defects in rat femurs. Control animals received collagen sponge implants. After 4 and 8 weeks of implantation, bone healing was evaluated using microradiography and quantitative histomorphometry. Four weeks postsurgery, significantly less new bone was formed in both of the polymer groups (p<0.038). Reduced bone loss was also noted with the polymers at this time, although it was not statistically significant. However, at 8 weeks postsurgery, a statistically significant reduction in bone loss was observed in both of the polymer groups compared with controls (p<0.0072). Both polymers seemed to elicit identical tissue responses because there were no differences detected between the homopolymer and copolymer materials at either time point. These results indicate that locally released SA can significantly reduce both bone loss and bone formation in this animal model.

Salicylate-based poly(anhydride-esters) were synthesized via two different methods, melt-condensation and solution polymerization, and the resulting polymers were compared. Acetylsalicylic acid was used as a model compound to mimic the active polymer chain-ends during melt-condensation, and formed a low-molecular-weight (<1500) polymer when subjected to melt-condensation polymerization conditions. The polymers and model compounds were analyzed by NMR ((1)H and (13)C) and IR spectroscopies to elucidate the structures. Spectroscopic analysis revealed the formation of a thermodynamically stable salicylate ester via salicylate-anhydride rearrangement during melt-condensation polymerization, which did not occur during solution polymerization. The salicylate-based poly(anhydride-esters) undergo a thermodynamic rearrangement during melt-condensation polymerization that is not observed for solution polymerization.