Organotin Polyethers as Biomaterials

Organotin polyethers are easily synthesized employing interfacial
polymerization systems involving the reaction of hydroxyl-containing Lewis bases and
organotin halides. A wide variety of organotin-containing polymeric products have been
synthesized including those derived from natural and synthetic polymers such as lignin,
xylan, cellulose, dextran, and poly(vinyl alcohol). Others have been synthesized employing
known drug diols such as dicumarol, DES, and dienestrol and a wide variety of synthetic
diols. Included in these materials are the first water soluble organotin polymers. The
organotin polyethers exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Some selectively inhibit
a number of unwanted bacteria, including Staph. MRSA, and unwanted yeasts such as
Candida albicans. Some also inhibit a variety of viruses including those responsible for
herpes infections and smallpox. Others show good inhibition of a wide variety of cancer
cell lines including cell lines associated with ovarian, colon, lung, prostrate, pancreatic and
breast cancer. The synthesis, structural characterization, and biological characterization of
these materials is described in this review.