This paper describes synthesis and characteristics of functional poly(ester-anhydride)s bearing allyl pendant groups. The polymers were obtained by polycondensation of 1,6-bis-p-carboxyphenoxyhexane (CPH) and oligo(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene succinate) terminated with carboxyl groups (OSAGE). The carboxyl groups in USAGE and in CPH were converted to mixed anhydride groups by acetylation with acetic anhydride. After that, prepolymers thus obtained were condensed in vacuum to yield poly(ester-anhydride)s. The structure of copolymers was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. Influence of molecular weight of USAGE as well as of the CPH and USAGE content on selected properties of poly(ester-anhydride)s was examined. Poly(ester-anhydride)s were subjected to hydrolytic degradation at 37 degrees C, in aqueous phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.41 (PBS). The course of degradation was monitored by determination of weight loss of samples and (1)H NMR. Fracture surfaces of samples during degradation were examined by scanning electron microscopy. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.