Exploiting Machine Learning and Automated Synthesis in Continuous Flow for Process Optimization of the Organocatalyzed Ring-Opening Polymerization of l‑Lactide.

ABSTRACT: The ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide is a well-established route for the synthesis of polylactide (PLA), a degradable and biobased polymer with applications in biomedical materials, packaging, and additive manufacturing. However, optimizing reaction conditions for efficient PLA synthesis remains challenging, with its production currently dwarfed by traditional petrochemical derived commodity polymers. In this work, we employ a continuous flow reactor to systematically explore a reaction space defined by catalyst concentration, residence time, and initiator concentration for the organocatalyzed ROP of l-lactide performed at room temperature, using 1,8-diaza-bicyclo​[5.4.0]​undec-7-ene (DBU) as catalyst, benzyl alcohol as initiator and dichloromethane as solvent. Through high-thr

SUBMITTER: Clothier GKK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12511971 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature