A Novel Method for the Synthesis of X-ray Imaging Degradable Polymers

Bonding iodine atoms to polymer is a common means of obtaining polymer with X-ray imaging ability. However, it is generally not possible to obtain degradable polymers with both high molecular weight and high iodine content. We propose a novel method for combining iodine atoms to polymers, which has a degradable carbonate group as its basic structural unit and iodine atoms attached to the backbone in the form of covalent bonds. First, cyclic carbonate monomers with a carbon-carbon double bond is synthesized, the monomers are purified and then polymerized to obtain polycarbonates containing carbon-carbon double bonds. Subsequently, the iodine atoms were successfully introduced into the polymer chains by the addition reaction. The iodinated poly-carbonate exhibited high level of X-ray opacity. The structure and X-ray developing ability of the polycarbonates were characterized by 1H NMR, IR, XPS, EDS, GPC and Micro-CT. In vitro degradation experiments of the iodinated polycarbonate proved that the polymer is degradable.