ANTI-MICROBIAL POLYMERS AND THEIR COMPOSITIONS
Polymers derived directly from acrolein monomer that are substantially soluble in water and/or aqueous media, together with methods for preparing same and compositions containing such for use as an anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and/or anti-coagulant.
1 - 30 . (canceled)
31 . Antimicrobial acrolein polymers obtainable by aqueous, base-catalysed polymerization of:
(a) acrolein and/or its hydroxy-alkanoic acid derived acetal, and;
(b) polyethylene glycol.
32 . Antimicrobial acrolein polymers according to claim 31 comprising structures resulting from reaction between polyethylene glycol and proximate carbons to the carbonyl in acrolein residues within the polymers.
33 . Antimicrobial acrolein polymers according to claim 31 wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 200 to 10,000 Daltons.
34 . Antimicrobial acrolein polymers according to claim 31 wherein the molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol is in the range 200 to 2000 Daltons.
35 . Antimicrobial polymers according to claim 31 having a molecular weight of greater than about 1000 Daltons.
36 . Antimicrobial acrolein polymers according to claim 31 wherein the acrolein polymers are derived from aqueous, base-catalysed polymerization of a hydroxy-alkanoic acid derived acetal of acrolein, wherein the hydroxy-alkanoic acid is selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, glyceric acid, glycolic acid, citric acid and 2-hydroxybutanoic acid.
37 . Antimicrobial acrolein polymers according to claim 36 wherein the acetal is a cyclic acetal of acrolein and the hydroxy-alkanoic acid is selected from tartaric acid and ascorbic acid.
38 . (canceled)
39 . (canceled)
40 . A method for synthesis of acrolein polymers comprising polymerising:
(a) acrolein and/or its hydroxy-alkanoic acid derived acetal and (b) polyethylene glycol;
wherein the polymerisation is conducted in basic aqueous solution in the presence of a basic catalyst.
41 . A method according to claim 40 wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 200 to 10,000 Daltons.
42 . A method according to claim 40 wherein the ratio of polyethylene glycol:acrolein or acrolein acetal is greater than 1:1 w/w.
43 . A method according to claim 40 wherein the basic aqueous solution is aqueous sodium hydroxide having a pH between 10 and 13.
44 . A method according to claim 40 wherein the acetal is formed by a method comprising partial conversion, using an acid-catalyst, of acrolein monomer to its acetal derivative with an hydroxy-alkanoic acid.
45 . A method according to claim 44 wherein the hydroxy-alkanoic acid is selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid, lactic acid, glyceric acid, glycolic acid, citric acid and 2-hydroxy-butanoic acid.
46 . (canceled)
47 . (canceled)
48 . Antimicrobial polymers according to claim 31 for use in treatment of microbial gastrointestinal disorders.
49 . Antimicrobial polymers according to claim 31 for use in treatment of cancer.