Abstract: | Alkyl cyanoacrylates were polymerized anionically in water medium at different levels of pH. The effect of pH on the molecular weight and softening points of the polymers was studied. Alkyl cyanoacrylates were also polymerized in suspension by using the combination of methanol–water, and also by using different catalysts such as triethylamine, diazabicyclooctane, and diazabicycloundecane. The poly(cyanoacrylates) thus obtained were characterised by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and the softening points of the polymers were determined. These studies would help in more effective usage of cyanoacrylates as bioadhesives under varied physiological conditions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 336–344, 1999 |