[en] Well-defined omega-methacryloylpoly(epsilon-caprolactone) (or PCL) macromonomers have been prepared by using an aluminum alkoxide that bears a methacrylic double bond. The initiator results from the equimolar reaction of triethylaluminum with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The coordination-insertion type of polymerization is living and yields exclusively linear macromonomers of a predictable molecular weight with a narrow molecular weight distribution. IR and H-1 NMR studies show that the methacryloyl group associated with the active alkoxy group of the initiator is selectively attached to one chain end. Should the living polymerization be terminated by methacryloyl chloride, and a alpha,omega-dimethacryloyl-PCL, i.e. a alpha,omega-macromonomer is obtained. PCL macromonomers and HEMA are easily copolymerized in the presence of AIBN, resulting in a hydrophilic poly(HEMA) backbone grafted with hydrophobic PCL subchains.
Research Center/Unit :
Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM)
Disciplines :
Chemistry Materials science & engineering
Author, co-author :
Dubois, Philippe; Université de Liège - ULiège > Department of Chemistry > Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Organic Catalysis
Jérôme, Robert ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Department of Chemistry > Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Organic Catalysis
Teyssié, Philippe ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Department of Chemistry > Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Organic Catalysis
Language :
English
Title :
Macromolecular Engineering of polylactones and polylactides. 3. Synthesis, characterization and applications of poly(ε-caprolactone) macromonomers
Publication date :
04 March 1991
Journal title :
Macromolecules
ISSN :
0024-9297
eISSN :
1520-5835
Publisher :
American Chemical Society, Washington, United States - District of Columbia
BELSPO - Politique scientifique fédérale [BE] IRSIA - Institut pour l'Encouragement de la Recherche Scientifique dans l'Industrie et l'Agriculture [BE]
Hsieh, H. L.; Wang, I. W. Ring-Opening Polymerization; Mc-Grath, J. E., Ed.; ACS Symposium Series 286; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1985; p 161.