Synthesis and application of novel degradable crosslinkers

A novel divinyl ether was synthesized by a convenient method with high yield. Then the divinyl ether was combined with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and acrylic acid, respectively, generating difunctional polymeric crosslinkers with (hemi)acetal structure that was labile in acid. The chemical structures of the divinyl ether and crosslinkers were confirmed by 1H NMR and elemental analysis. The crosslinkers were employed in free-radical polymerization to prepare polymer gel and gel particles. Due to the (hemi)acetal structure in the crosslinking segment, the polymer gel and particles exhibited degradable ability in strong acid.