Morpholine-2

5-dione derivatives are a kind of cyclic monomers for the preparation of biodegradable materials. This paper summarized the synthesis methods of morpholine-2

5-dione derivatives and their copolymers

as well as their potential applications in medical field. Firstly

three synthesis methods of these derivatives were introduced

also the homopolymerization of morpholine-2

5-dione derivatives to prepare polydepsipeptides was summarized. Secondly

this paper introduced ring-opening copolymerization of morpholine-2

5-dione derivatives with e-caprolactone and lactide to prepare the copolymers based on amino acids. Finally

this paper summarized the synthesis of morpholine-2

5-dione derivatives block copolymers

and the recent development of their applications in drug delivery and gene carriers.