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polyglycolic acid
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polyglycolic acid

chemical compound
Also known as: PGA
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Quick Summary

Polyglycolic acid (PGA) is a degradable polyester. Polyesters are polymers formed through a condensation reaction that creates ester groups, linking organic alcohols and carboxylic acids. PGA is prepared by the acid-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters.1

PGA, along with polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL), degrades through hydrolysis of its ester groups, a process facilitated by microorganisms or water. Because its degradation products are natural metabolites, PGA is of interest for medical applications, including absorbable surgical sutures and controlled-release drug packaging.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. major industrial polymers - Degradable polyesters
  2. carboxylic acid - Oxidation

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