2-Acryloxyacetophenone (AAP) was prepared and subjected to suspension polymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as free radical initiator. The differently sulfonated AAP-MMA cross-linked copolymer cationic exchange resins were prepared by sulfonation with concentrated sulphuric acid at 70 ℃. Several characteristics of the prepared resins were evaluated

i.e.

FTIR

the ion-exchange capacity (IEC)

thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA)

particle size distribution and microscopic morphology. The resin characteristics were altered with degree of sulfonation

providing that differently sulfonated resins could be prepared. The behavior of atenolol (ATL) loading and

in vitro

release in the USP stimulated gastric and intestinal fluids of the obtained resins were evaluated. The drug loaded in the resin increased with increasing degree of sulfonation and hence the drug binding site in resin employed. The drug release was lower from the resins with higher content of sulfonic group due to the increase in the diffusive path depth. The drug release was a little lower in stimulated gastric fluid (SGF) than in stimulated intestinal fluids (SIF). The basic groups

ionized to a little greater extent in SGF and preferred binding with the resin rather than releasing. Hence

the differently sulfonated resins could be utilized as novel carriers for drug delivery.