SYNTHESIS AND DEGRADATION OF POLY ALKYL ALPHA CYANOACRYLATES

The capability of rapidly polymerizing monomeric alpha cyanoacrylates to adhere firmly to moist surfaces has evoked considerable medical interest in their potentialities as hemostatic agents and tissue adhesives for closure of wounds in place of, or as adjuncts to, the conventional surgical sutures. A report is given on the synthesis of the homologous series of alkyl-alpha-cyanoacrylates, their physical properties with respect to purity and also the kinetics of in vitro degradation of poly-alkyl-alpha-cyanoacrylates in the presence of water, both in the heterogeneous and homogeneous phases. Other important findings on the mode of polymerization are given and comparison of in vitro with the in vivo degradation results are made. (Author)