Monomeric units useful for reducing the modulus of silicone hydrogels

TLDR: In this paper, the subject monomeric units useful in reducing the modulus of hydrogels are disclosed, and they are especially useful in the formation of biomedical articles such as silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: Monomeric units useful in reducing the modulus of hydrogels are disclosed. Silicone hydrogels including the subject monomeric units are especially useful in the formation of biomedical articles such as silicone hydrogel contact lenses. In formula (I), A is an activated unsaturated group; R and D independently are alkyl, alkylene or haloalkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms wherein said carbon atoms may include ether linkages therebetween; R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from: alkyl or haloalkyl groups wherein ether linkages may be included between carbon atoms; siloxane groups; and carbocyclic ring groups having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms; m is in integer from 1 to 500; n is an integer from 1 to 20; x and y are 0 or 1; z is 1 or 2; and x+y+z=3; so long as at least one of R1 or R2 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms.