Certain embodiments of the invention provide antioxidant-based diacids and polymers comprising glycol groups as described herein, and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments the polymers described herein are formulated as microspheres or hydrogels. Described herein is the chemical incorporation of antioxidants, e.g., coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid, into a polymer backbone for use, e.g., in applications for localized release and rapid delivery. As provided, the chemical composition of the linker molecules used (of which hold together two bioactives via ester linkages) may be used to vary the hydrophilicity of the polymer. The bioactive release rate may also be altered for a tunable release delivery system, allowing for increased bioactive release compared to other linkers previously utilized.