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Novel end-chain and midchain functional macrophotoinitiators of poly(ε-caprolactone) have been synthesized. For this purpose, mono- and dihydroxy functional photoinitiators namely, benzoin (B) and 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl propan-1-one (HMPP), Darocure 1173, and 2-hydroxy-1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-methyl propan-1-one (HE-HMPP), Irgacure 2959, respectively, were used as initiators for the stannous-2-ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)2) catalyzed living ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. The gpc and IR, H NMR, UV, and fluorescence spectroscopic studies revealed that low-polydispersity poly(ε-caprolactone) with desired photoinitiator functionality at the end or in the middle of the chain were obtained. These prepolymers were used to induce radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) upon irradiation via α-cleavage of the incorporated phenyl ketone groups. While end-chain functional macrophotoiniators led to the formation of both homo and block copolymers, only block copolymers of ε-CL and MMA were formed with midchain functional macrophotoinitiator. Successful blocking has been confirmed by a strong change in the molecular weight of the prepolymer and the block copolymer as well as by NMR spectral measurements.

2,5‐Dibromo‐1,4‐(dihydroxymethyl)benzene was used as initiator in ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone in the presence of stannous octoate (Sn(Oct)2) catalyst. The resulting poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) macromonomer, with a central 2,5‐dibromo‐1,4‐diphenylene group, was used in combination with 1,4‐dibromo‐2,5‐dimethylbenzene for a Suzuki coupling in the presence of Pd(PPh3)4 as catalyst or using the system NiCl2/bpy/PPh3/Zn for a Yamamoto‐type polymerization. The poly(p‐phenylenes) (PPP) obtained, with PCL side chains, have solubility properties similar to those of the starting macromonomer, ie soluble in common organic solvents at room temperature. The new polymers were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR and UV spectroscopy and also by GPC measurements. The thermal behaviour of the precursor PCL macromonomer and the final poly(p‐phenylene)‐graft‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) copolymers were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analyses and compared. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

Background: Medication errors in oncology may cause severe clinical problems due to low therapeutic indices and high toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. We aimed to investigate unintentional medication errors and underlying factors during chemotherapy preparation and administration based on a systematic survey conducted to reflect oncology nurses experience. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 18 adult chemotherapy units with volunteer participation of 206 nurses. A survey developed by primary investigators and medication errors (MAEs) defined preventable errors during prescription of medication, ordering, preparation or administration. The survey consisted of 4 parts: demographic features of nurses; workload of chemotherapy units; errors and their estimated monthly number during chemotherapy preparation and administration; and evaluation of the possible factors responsible from ME. The survey was conducted by face to face interview and data analyses were performed with descriptive statistics. Chi-square or Fisher exact tests were used for a comparative analysis of categorical data. Results: Some 83.4% of the 210 nurses reported one or more than one error during chemotherapy preparation and administration. Prescribing or ordering wrong doses by physicians (65.7%) and noncompliance with administration sequences during chemotherapy administration (50.5%) were the most common errors. The most common estimated average monthly error was not following the administration sequence of the chemotherapeutic agents (4.1 times/month, range 1-20). The most important underlying reasons for medication errors were heavy workload (49.7%) and insufficient number of staff (36.5%). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the probability of medication error is very high during chemotherapy preparation and administration, the most common involving prescribing and ordering errors. Further studies must address the strategies to minimize medication error in chemotherapy receiving patients, determine sufficient protective measures and establishing multistep control mechanisms.

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