Hydrolytic bioactive molecules

A substantial number of bioactive molecules, such as polypeptides, N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine, p-(dipropylsulfamoyl)benzoic acid, and nicotinic acid, contain a carboxylic acid function, and this provides a site for linkage to a polyphosphazene chain. A number of prototype polymers have been synthesized in which pendent amino groups provide coupling sites for the carboxylic acid (34). The amide linkages so formed are potentially bioerodible, but the use of a hydrolytic sensitizing cosubstituent would be expected to accelerate the process. 

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