Poly(iminocarbonates) as potential biomaterials.

Poly(iminocarbonates), based on diphenols such as hydroquinone or Bisphenol A were synthesized. Poly(iminocarbonates) degraded under physiological conditions. Compression moulded discs of poly-(hydroquinone-iminocarbonate) showed near zero-order release for low loadings (1%, w/w) of Eosin Y. Poly(Bisphenol A-iminocarbonate) formed transparent films and strong fibres. It is a tough polymer with high tensile strength. Under physiological conditions complete erosion of a thin film of poly(Bisphenol A-iminocarbonate) required about 200 d. The release profile for p-nitroaniline from solvent cast films of poly(Bisphenol A-iminocarbonate) was characterized by a lag period (20 d), followed by near zero-order release for 90 d. Initial toxicological studies revealed no inflammatory cell response after implantation in the corneas of rabbits or subcutaneously in mice.