Melt Phase Polymerization of Racemic Lactide to High‐Performance Poly(Lactic Acid). Issue 4 (26th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paetz, Caspar; Hagen, Rainer; Klemm, Elias; Sauer, Jörg
• Is Part Of: Chemie Ingenieur Technik. Volume 86:Issue 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 519
• Page End: 523
• Publication Date: 2014-02-26
• Subjects: Chemical engineering -- Patents -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical industry -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Technical -- Periodicals; 660.05
• DOI: 10.1002/cite.201300126
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-286X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>A process for the production of poly(lactic acid) with a melting point of &gt; 150 °C from racemic lactide was developed. Only process steps that are usable in an industrial process were included to ensure an easy transfer to a commercial scale. A stereoselective catalyst system for lactide melt phase polymerization comprising of an Al‐salen initiator, a hydroxyl cocatalyst and an acidic quenching additive was developed. Monomer recovery aspects, temperature variation and different catalyst concentrations were evaluated to allow for a high yield process which can be transferred to a technical scale.</p> </abstract>