Anionic ring-opening polymerization of beta-alkoxymethyl-substituted beta-lactones

Biomacromolecules. 2008 Feb;9(2):696-703. doi: 10.1021/bm701077v. Epub 2008 Jan 8.

Abstract

We report on anionic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of racemic beta-(methoxymethyl)-beta-propiolactone (MOMPL) and beta-(ethoxymethyl)-beta-propiolactone (EOMPL) initiated by supramolecular complex of potassium acetate and tetrabutylammonium acetate (Bu4N+ Ac) as well as by tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, respectively. Structure of the resulting polymers has been established at the molecular level by electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)) and has been confirmed by FT-IR, NMR, and GPC analyses. Similar behavior of MOMPL and EOMPL with respect to already-studied beta-alkyl-substituted beta-lactones, e.g., beta-butyrolactone (MPL), has been observed under the conditions of anionic ROP (including observed side reactions leading to unsaturated end groups) and the already-established mechanisms of anionic polymerization of beta-alkyl-substituted beta-lactones are extended on beta-alkoxymethyl-substituted ones.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / analysis
  • Alcohols / chemistry*
  • Anions / analysis
  • Anions / chemistry
  • Free Radicals / analysis
  • Free Radicals / chemistry
  • Lactones / analysis
  • Lactones / chemistry*
  • Polymers / analysis
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Anions
  • Free Radicals
  • Lactones
  • Polymers
  • alkoxyl radical