Melt block copolymerization of epsilon-caprolactone and L-lactide

P.J.A. in 't Veld, E.M. Velner, P. van de Witte, J. Hamhuis, P.J. Dijkstra, J. Feijen

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    Abstract

    AB block copolymers of ε-caprolactone and (L)-lactide could be prepared by ring-opening polymerization in the melt at 110°C using stannous octoate as a catalyst and ethanol as an initiator provided ε-caprolactone was polymerized first. Ethanol initiated the polymerization of ε-caprolactone producing a polymer with ε-caprolactone derived hydroxyl end groups which after addition of L-lactide in the second step of the polymerization initiated the ring-opening copolymerization of L-lactide. The number-average molecular weights of the poly(ε-caprolactone) blocks varied fron 1.5 to 5.2 × 103, while those of the poly(L-lactide) blocks ranged from 17.4 to 49.7 × 103. The polydispersities of the block copolymers varied from 1.16 to 1.27. The number-average molecular weights of the polymers were controlled by the monomer/hydroxyl group ratio, and were independent on the monomer/ stannous octoate ratio within the range of experimental conditions studied. When L-lactide was polymerized first, followed by copolymerization of ε-caprolactone, random copolymers were obtained. The formation of random copolymers was attributed to the occurrence of transesterification reactions. These side reactions were caused by the ε-caprolactone derived hydroxyl end groups generated during the copolymerization of ε-caprolactone with prepolymers of L-lactide. The polymerization proceeds through an ester alcoholysis reaction mechanism, in which the stannous octoate activated ester groups of the monomers react with hydroxyl groups.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)219-226
    JournalJournal of Polymer Science. Part A, Polymer Chemistry
    Volume35
    Issue number2
    Publication statusPublished - 1997

    Keywords

    • Block copolymers
    • L-lactide
    • Ring-opening polymerization
    • Stannous octoate
    • ε-caprolactone

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