This paper describes-the three-step synthesis and characteristics of succinic acid based functional poly(ester-anhydride)s bearing allyl groups in side chains. Firstly, carboxyl terminated functional oligoesters with molecular weight in the range of 300-1000 were obtained by melt condensation of allyl glycidyl ether with an excess of succinic acid. Secondly, carboxyl end groups of the macromer obtained were converted to mixed anhydride groups by refluxing in acetic anhydride. In the last step, melt polycondesation of ester-anhydride prepolymers produced poly(ester-anhydride)s. Influence of molecular weight of initial oligoesters as well as of parameters of the process on selected properties of poly(ester-anhydride)s was examined. Poly(ester-anhydride)s were degraded in aqueous buffer of pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C. The hydrolytic degradation was monitored by determination of mass loss and by determination of ester to anhydride groups ratio. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.