Homopolymerization and copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and l-lactide organocatalyzed by carboxylic acids with mono-, di-, and tri-functionality.

ABSTRACT: A challenge in the design of biocompatible polymers involves the use of non-cytotoxic catalysts in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones. In this study, a family of seven mono-, di-, and tricarboxylic acids was used as organocatalysts for the ROP of ε-caprolactone (CL) and l-lactide (l-LA). The use of a long-chain aliphatic alcohol such as 1-docosanol (C₂₂OH) has been demonstrated to accelerate the polymerization rate. For the ROP of CL, carboxylic acids with pk _a values less than 4 and an increase in functional groups exhibited the highest catalytic efficiency. In contrast, the ROP of l-LA exhibited conversion that was independent of the number of carboxyl groups or pk _a. Random copolymers of PCL-co-PLLA were successfully s

SUBMITTER: Aldaba-Ramos JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12590545 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature