Macroporous cross-linked polymer particles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of producing one or more macroporous cross-linked polymer particles, comprising polymerizing via free radical initiation and cross-linking of bifunctional vinyl ether monomers in an inert solvent that includes ether groups. The invention also relates to particles so produced, which are useful as separation medium e.g. in RPC or, after suitable derivatisation, in other chromatographic methods.

1 . A method of producing one or more macroporous cross-linked polymer particles, comprising polymerizing via free radical initiation and cross-linking of bifunctional vinyl ether monomers in an inert solvent that includes ether groups.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ether groups are polyether groups.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is a mixture of an ether and/or polyether solvent and an alcoholic solvent.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein each polymer of the polyether solvent exhibits a molecular weight above about 60 g/mole.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the polyether solvent is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), and mixtures comprising PEG and/or PPG.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the polyether solvent is polypropylene glycol (PPG).  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bifunctional vinyl ether monomers are linear or cyclic alkyl divinyl ether monomers.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the vinyl ether monomers are selected from the group consisting of cyclohexanedimethanol divinyl ether monomers and mixtures, thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the vinyl ether monomers are selected from the group consisting of diethyleneglycol divinyl ether monomers, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the divinyl ether monomers are polymerised and cross-linked with at least one other monomer which is a bifunctional monomer comprising two vinyl groups.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 . wherein the divinyl ether monomers are polymerised with at least one other monomer which is a monofunctional monomer including one vinyl group.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said other monomers include at least one non-vinyl functional group.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polymerizing is via a suspension polymerisation.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising modifying the surface of the particles produced by derivatisation of residual vinyl groups.  
     
     
         15 . A macroporous cross-linked polymer particle, which has been produced by the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         16 - 17 . (canceled)