Zwitterionic Monomer for the Synthesis of Biocompatible Polymers

3-[[2-(Methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethylammonio]propionate (CBMA) is a zwitter ionic methacrylate ester with a quaternary ammonium group and a carboxyl group in the molecule. CBMA has been reported to be applied to biomaterials, just like 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) which is well known as a useful monomer for the synthesis of biocompatible polymers. For example, Jiang et al. have added repellency of protein adsorption to a glass surface by polymerizing the CBMA after modifying an atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator on the glass surface.¹⁾ Besides, CBMA has been used in the research of polymer modification on a gold surface,²⁾ hydrogel implants resisting the foreign-body reaction,³⁾ and drug delivery vehicles conjugating with an anticancer agent.⁴⁾