Absorbable polyurethanes, polyamides and polyester urethanes prepared from at least one compound selected from:or the corresponding diamines or diisocyanates thereof, wherein each X independently represents —CH2COO—, —CH(CH3)COO—, —CH2CH2OCH2COO—, —CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2COO—, —(CH2)yCOO— where y is 2 to 4 or 6 to 24, or —(CH2CH2O)z′CH2COO— where z′ is 2 to 24 each Y represents —COCH2O—, —COCH(CH3)O—, —COCH2OCH2CH2O—, —COCH2CH2CH2CH2CH2O—, —CO(CH2)mO— where m is 2 to 4 or 6 to 24, or —COCH2O(CH2CH2O)n— where n is 2 to 24 R′ is hydrogen, benzyl or straight-chained or branched alkyl p is 1 to 4 and Rn represents one or more members selected from H, alkoxy, benzyloxy, aldehyde, halogen, carboxylic acid and —NO2, which is attached directly to an aromatic ring or attached through an aliphatic chain. Absorbable polymers prepared from these compounds are useful for drug delivery, tissue engineering, tissue adhesives, adhesion prevention and other implantable medical devices.
