Anti-microbial polymers and their compositions

Abstract

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.