Abstract: Biodegradable absorption enhancers, especially useful in pharmaceutical formulations, are compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, benzyl or 4-hydroxybenzyl; n is a whole number from 4 to 18 inclusive; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are combined to form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl radical having a total of 5 to 7 ring atoms, optionally including a hetero ring atom selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen in addition to the indicated nitrogen atom, the substituents when present being one to three C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl radicals, which may be the same or different; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl.

Abstract: Biodegradable absorption enhancers, especially useful in pharmaceutical formulations, are compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, benzyl or 4-hydroxybenzyl; n is a whole number from 4 to 18 inclusive; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are combined to form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl radical having a total of 5 to 7 ring atoms, optionally including a hetero ring atom selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen in addition to the indicated nitrogen atom, the substituents when present being one to three C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl radicals, which may be the same or different; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl.