Synthesis and exchange reactions of biodegradable drug-binding matrices

Succinic esters of starch and dextrane (STS and DTS) have been prepared and transformed into the corresponding imidazolides. These are difficult to isolate in a pure state. Without previous isolation, however, they react smoothly with alcohols or amines giving the corresponding polymeric esters or amides. STS benzotriazolide has also been prepared, and isolated in a pure state. It has been found to have the same reactivity towards alcohols and amines than other previously described polymeric benzotriazolides. These results demonstrate that STS or DTS activated amides offer new opportunities to prepare polymer drug adducts with a main backbone degradable to safe metabolites in the body fluids