Cationic oligomerization of α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone

Abstract

Cationic polymerization of 5-membered cyclic ester a-hydroxy-y- butyrolactone (BL-OH) proceeds according to activated monomer (AM) mechanism and leads to low molecular weight polymers. Elimination of water from growing macromolecules occurs during the polymerization process. The extent of dehydration depends on the catalyst and is the lowest in the case of scandium triflate [(CF3SO3)3Sc] catalyst. Spontaneous polymerization of BL-OH, occurring during vacuum distillation, leads to the oligomeric product without dehydration.