Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethyl glyoxylate) - A new potentially biodegradable polymer

Abstract

Poly(ethyl glyoxylate) (PEtG), a new polyacetal, was synthesized via anionic polymerization in CH2Cl2. End-capping was achieved using phenyl isocyanate. Average molecular weights in the range of 9000 - 216 000 were obtained. 1H and 13C NMR characterization highlight the non-stereoregularity of PEtG. The polymer is quasi-atactic and the polymerization almost followed a Bernoulli process. Compared to its homologue poly(methyl glyoxylate), PEtG exhibits enhanced thermal stability (>200°C) and a lower glass transition temperature, Tg. Molecular weight influences Tg, but does not affect thermal stability.