Synthesis and Structural Analysis of Polyester Prodrugs of Norfloxacin

Abstract

Two-, three- and four-arm, star-shaped poly(ε-caprolactone) andpoly(D,L-lactide) homopolymers, and copolymers of ε-caprolactone with D,L-lactide weresynthesized via ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters in the presence of glycerol,penthaerythritol and poly(ethylene glycol) as initiators and stannous octoate as a catalyst.Thus obtained oligomers were successfully used in the synthesis of novel macromolecularprodrugs of norfloxacin. The structures of the polymers and prodrugs were elucidated bymeans of MALDI-TOF MS, NMR and IR studies.

Keywords

• aliphatic polyesters
• ring-opening polymerization
• macromolecular prodrugs