A new biologically active copolymer containing catechol and succinic acid has been synthesized. This polymer is highly soluble in water and stable at neutral (physiological) pH. An injection of the copolymer into the haemocoel of American cockroaches was lethal. Newly-ecdysed (molted) cockroaches could tolerate only 0.6 mg while interecdysial animals died after injection of 1 mg. The copolymer contains catechol with a free beta carbon which is similar in structure to the natural cuticle sclerotization (hardening) agents. Experiments show that the copolymer appears to bind cuticle protein precursors which could be related to the lethal effect of this agent.
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