Synthesis and characterization of poly[(3,4-dihydro-2h-pyran)-alt-(maleic anhydride)] and its derivatives: Biologically active polymers

The syntheses of several monomers, bioactive poly(3, 4-dihydro-2H-pyran)-alt-(maleic anhydride)] and its derivatives, which have different substituents (e.g., acetoxy, methoxy, ethoxy, methoxycarbonyl, formyl, acetoxymethyl, and tosyloxymethyl groups) in the 2-position of the tetrahydropyran ring of the copolymer backbone, are described. The alternating sequences in copolymers of the dihydropyran derivatives and maleic anhydride were obtained from the equimolar and larger ratios of maleic anhydride to dihydropyran derivative at the onset of the copolymerization. The molecular weights of the copolymers were found to be low (M_n = 1000–7500) due to a transfer reaction of the dihydropyran derivatives. Hydrolyses of the anhydride groups in the copolymers without catalyst afforded poly(dihydropyran)-alt-(maleic acid)] and its derivatives, whereas an additional three copolymers having substituents, e.g., hydroxy, hydroxymethyl, and carboxyl groups were obtained by hydrolyses of the pendent groups (acetoxy, acetoxymethyl, and methoxycarbonyl) with the aid of a hydroxide catalyst. Carbamoyl groups on the polymers were obtained from ammonolysis of methoxycarbonyl groups. The polymers having mercaptomethyl or aminomethyl groups were obtained by substitution of hydrogen sulfide or ammonia for tosyloxylmethyl groups.