Synthesis and Characterization of Poly (glutaraldehyde). A Potential Reagent for Protein Immobilization and Cell Separation

The aldol condensation of aqueous glutaraldehyde in the pH range 7-13.5 yielded water-soluble and water-insoluble poly(glutaraldehyde) (PGL), the molecular weight of which was of the order of 12 to 20000. The structure of PGL was elucidated by means of UV, IR spectrophotometry, electrochemical studies, and the analysis of reaction products of PGL with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The structure of PGL polymers prepared in a wide pH range was found to be similar. The main differences consisted of changes in the concentration of functional groups. Sufficient evidence was obtained to explain the presence in PGL of the primary hydroxyl and of the carboxyl groups as due to a Cannizzaro reaction. Electrochemical studies confirmed the spectrophotometric evidence of the presence of conjugated aldehyde groups. Recent investigations of water-soluble or -insoluble PGL or of PGL in the form of microspheres indicate that these polymers may yield important immunoreagents for biological research.