Access to high-molecular-weight poly(γ-butyrolactone) by using simple commercial catalysts. Issue 3 (21st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yihuan; Yuan, Xin; Wu, Jiaqi; Hu, Xin; Zhu, Ning; Guo, Kai
• Is Part Of: Polymer chemistry. Volume 13:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 439
• Page End: 445
• Publication Date: 2021-12-21
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1039/d1py01340h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-9954

Abstract

Abstract : The simple commercial organomagnesium catalysts were utilized for efficient access to high-molecular-weight poly(γ-butyrolactone) and facile manipulation of the reaction conditions enabled the polymer topology controlled. Abstract : The emerging poly(γ-butyrolactone) (PGBL) represents a significant branch of sustainable polymers that exhibit full chemical recyclability. However, it is a great challenge to synthesize high-molecular-weight PGBL. Herein, we present simple commercial organomagnesium compounds for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of γ-butyrolactone (GBL). Through facile manipulation of the reaction conditions, the topology of PGBL could be well controlled. The addition of organomagnesium into the premixture of GBL and Ph2 CHOH yielded predominantly Ph2 CHO/H terminated linear polymers. By using di- n -butylmagnesium in the absence of Ph2 CHOH, predominantly linear PGBL ( M n, SEC-MALS = 110 kg mol −1 ) with butyl/H chain ends was produced and it exhibited enhanced mechanical properties (elongation at break 735%, tensile strength 50.1 MPa). We believe that this contribution would provide insights into sustainable polymer synthesis and catalysis.