Abstract
We successfully carried out the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone with 1,3,5-benzenetricar-boxylic acid and 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid as the core initiators at 225°C in bulk, and three-armed and fourarmed star poly(ε-caprolactone)s [poly(ε-CL)s] with carboxyl end groups were obtained. No transesterification, which would have led to a decrease in the molecular weight of poly(ε-CL), was found. The effects of the polymerization conditions on the polymerization are discussed; the poly(ε-CL)s were characterized by 1H-NMR, gel permeation chromatography, and thermogravimetric analysis in detail. A mechanism of alkyl-oxygen bond scission by the nucleophilic attack of the carboxyl anions via hydrogen proton transfer is presented for this system.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3713-3717 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Polymer Science |
Volume | 100 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 5 Jun 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Initiators
- Ring-opening polymerization
- Star polymers
- Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)