Block copolymers based on poly(ortho esters) containing amine groups

A block copolymer of formula X, formula Y, or formula Z:

• RA—[OCH2CH2]f—[POE]g—H (X),
• RA—[OCH2CH2]f—[POE]g—[OCH2CH2]h—ORB (Y),
• H—A—[POE]g—[OCH2CH2]h—[POE]j—H (Z),
• where:
• RA is C1-C4 alkyl;
• RB is C1-C4 alkyl;
• f and h are independently an integer from 2 to 1000;
• g and j are independently an integer from 2 to 200;
• POE is a poly(ortho ester) unit of formula IA or formula IIA:
• where
• R* is a C1-C4 alkyl;
• R is a bond, —(CH2)—, or —(CH2)b—O—(CH2)c—;
• where a is an integer of 1 to 10, and b and c are independently integers of 1 to 5;
• and
• each A is independently selected from R1, R2, R3, and R4, where
• R1 is:
• where:
• p is an integer of 1 to 20;
• R5 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;
• and
• where:
• s is an integer of 0 to 30;
• t is an integer of 2 to 200;
• and
• R7 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;
• where:
• x is an integer of 0 to 30;
• y is an integer of 2 to 200;
• R8 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;
• R9 and R10 are independently C1-C12 alkylene;
• R11 is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl and R12 is C1-C6 alkyl;
• or R11 and R12 together are C3-C10 alkylene;
• and
• R4 is the residue of a diol containing at least one amine functionality incorporated therein;
• in which at least 0.1 mol % of the A units are R1, and at least 0.1 mol % of the A units are R4.