Polyhydroxyacetic acid

Structural formula
General
Surname	Polyhydroxyacetic acid
CAS number	26009-03-0
Monomer	Hydroxyacetic acid
Molecular formula of the repeating unit	C 2 H 2 O 2
Molar mass of the repeating unit	58.04 g mol −1
properties
Physical state	firmly
safety instructions
GHS labeling of hazardous substances no classification available H and P phrases H: see above P: see above
As far as possible and customary, SI units are used. Unless otherwise noted, the data given apply to standard conditions .

Polyhydroxyacetic acid , also known as polyglycolic acid (PGA), is a polyester that is used as medical suture material because it can be absorbed by the body . The hydrolysis by which the material is broken down leads to complete resorption in about 60–90 days.

Manufacturing

Glycolide , the dimer of hydroxyacetic acid , polymerizes anionically to polyhydroxyacetic acid.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Polyglycolic acid data sheet from Sigma-Aldrich , accessed on February 7, 2012 ( PDF ).
2. ↑ This substance has either not yet been classified with regard to its hazardousness or a reliable and citable source has not yet been found.
3. ^ MD Lechner, K. Gehrke and EH Nordmeier: Makromolekulare Chemie , 4th edition, Birkhäuser Verlag, 2010, p. 129, ISBN 978-3-7643-8890-4 .