Description

• General description: Glycolide is a cyclic dimer of α-hydroxy acid that can be used in the formation of aliphatic polyester. It is synthesized by the dimerization of glycolic acid. It forms a low toxic synthetic biodegradable polymer that can be used in medical applications. It is majorly used in the formation of a highly crystalline poly(glycolide) by ring opening polymerization.[1][2]
• Application: Glycolide can be used as a monomer in the preparation of poly(lactic-co-glycolide)(PGLA) via copolymerization with lactide monomer. PGLA is further used in the following applications:Porous PGLA microsphere scaffolds are used in bone repair applications.[3] Encapsulated PGLA nanoparticles can be used in drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Polymeric micro/nanoparticles made from PLGA have gained significant interest for their appealing characteristics, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, prolonged drug release, and safeguarding the drug against degradation.[4]It can also be used to synthesize poly(glycolide-caprolactone)(PGCL) copolymers applicable as bioabsorbable suture materials.