End functionalized polylactides are prepared by ring opening polymerization of L-lactide in the presence of stannous octoate (Sn(Oct)2). Three chromophores, 9H-carbazol-ethanol (CA), 9-fluorenyl-methanol (FM), and 2-(4-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenylazo)-N-ethylphenylamino)ethanol (Disperse Red 13, DR), are for the first time used as co-initiators in the polymerization process. The polymerization reaction is initiated by conventional thermal treatment, but in the case of FM, microwave-assisted polymerization is also carried out. CA and FM absorb and emit in the UV portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, whereas DR absorbs in the visible part. The obtained end-capped polylactides derivatives show the same photophysical properties as the initiator, so they are "macromolecular dyes" (MDs) that can be used "as synthesized" or can be blended with commercial poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The blends of PLA with MDs have ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption and fluorescence emission features similar to that of MDs and thermal properties typical of PLA. Finally, migration tests, carried out onto the blends of PLA with MDs and PLA with free chromophores, show that MDs are less released than free chromophores both in solution and in the solid phase.
Keywords: chromophores end-capped PLA; dyed PLA; microwave-assisted polymerization; migration tests; photophysical properties; ring opening polymerization of L-lactide (RPO).