Abstract: The invention relates to a unique set of compositions of matter characterized by including defined active agents covalently bonded to carbonium ion base groups, as well as the method of creating the compositions. The covalently bonded compositions include base groups in the nature of ketene acetals and vinyl ethers and the thio equivalents thereof. The available active agents include alcohols, phenols, carboxylic acids, thiols, amines, amides, urethanes, phosphate esters, sulfonic acids and oximes. The compositions may either be in capped form or leashed to a polymeric backbone. The compositions are ordinarily formed by self actuating reactions when the appropriate base groups and active agents are juxtaposed under proper environmental conditions. The primary uses of the compositions are in controlled release applications such as drugs, topical insecticides and the like or in any application where predictable hydrolytic release of the active agent is desirable.

Abstract: Allyl acetals and substituted allyl acetals are rearranged to produce ketene acetals by heating the acetals in a solution of an alkali metal alkoxide in an ethylene amine.

Abstract: This invention concerns ortho ester polymers having repeating mer units represented by the general formulas: ##STR1## The polymers are formed by a condensation reaction between ketene acetals having a functionality of two or more and hydroxyl containing compounds having a functionality of two or more. Unlike most conventional condensation reactions, the reaction between a ketene acetal and an alcohol proceeds without the evolution of small molecule by-products which must be removed by distillation in order to achieve high molecular weight. Hence, this new process produces high molecular weight poly (ortho esters) in short reaction times, at essentially room temperature and at atmospheric pressure.