title: Characteristic chain-end racemization behavior during photolysis of poly(L-lactic acid).
abstract: Photolysis of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) has many unclear points, such as the degradation mechanism, kinetics, products, and racemization mechanism. To clarify these features of PLLA photolysis, we examined the relationship between photolysis and racemization. The hexad stereosequential analysis of photodegraded PLLA was investigated to specify the racemized positions within a chain in comparison with hydrolysis and thermal degradation. Results from (13)C NMR spectra of UV-irradiated PLLA samples indicated that the samples have racemized d-lactate units at chain ends. From the comparison of racemization behavior among photolysis, hydrolysis, and thermal degradation, it was confirmed that the preferential racemization behavior of each of these three degradation processes is characteristic and distinct, being identified as chain-end racemization, poor racemization, or internal-unit racemization, respectively. The characteristic chain-end racemization behavior of photolysis was first confirmed in this study.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu 808-0196, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsukegi
authors.forename: Yoshihito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shirai
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishida
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007700:Kinetics; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010782:Photolysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)