title: Ring-opening polymerization of L-lactic acid O-carboxyanhydrides initiated by alkoxy rare earth compounds.
abstract: The ring-opening polymerization of L-lactic acid O-carboxyanhydrides was initiated by triisopropoxyneodymium in toluene-THF mixtures. Typically, high yields and relatively high molecular weight PLAs were obtained within 4 h at 25 °C. The reaction was highly controllable and easy to conduct, and the molecular weight distribution of the PLAs was rather narrow (Mw/Mn = 1.10-1.36). NMR analysis showed that one end of the PLA chain consisted of an isopropoxy group, while the other end of the chain contained a hydroxyl group. Due to their availability and high polymerizability, Lac-OCAs are promising monomers for the preparation of tailored architectures derived from well-defined PLAs.
authors.affiliation: Engineering Research Center of Biopolymer Functional Materials of Yunnan, Yunnan University of Nationalities, Kunming 650500, China. yml@188.com.
authors.forename: Zhengguo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Yongming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chuan
authors.forename: Hongli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Minglong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000812:Anhydrides / Q000737:chemistry*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D005663:Furans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009354:Neodymium / Q000737:chemistry; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D012997:Solvents; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014050:Toluene
chemical_list: D000812:Anhydrides; D005663:Furans; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D009354:Neodymium; D019344:Lactic Acid; D014050:Toluene; C018674:tetrahydrofuran