The use of novel cyclic monomers in hydrogel synthesis

Abstract

A range of hydrogels was prepared by the copolymerisation of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with various cyclic monomers (CM) derived fromcis- and trans-1,2-dihydroxycyclohexa-3,5-diene (DHCD). The specific systems investigated were the cis-diacetate, -dimethyl carbonate and -dipivalate, and the trans-diacetate and -dimorpholinocarboxy. It was observed that the cis-derivatives polymerised more readily than the trans-derivatives. The poly(HEMA–CM) hydrogels prepared from cis- derivatives showed superior mechanical properties compared with the corresponding systems containing styrene or methyl methacrylate.