Polyester Stereocomplexes Beyond PLA: Could Synthetic Opportunities Revolutionize Established Material Blending?

Abstract

This review summarizes the current literature regarding stereocomplexation of different polyesters based on α- as well as β-hydroxy acids beyond the well-known poly(lactic acid). Representing the initial step toward stereocomplexation, synthetic approaches needed to obtain and analyze isotactic polyesters are summarized. The basic technologies for the preparation and characterization of the respective stereocomplexes (SCs) are described, and published material properties are related to the structure of the respective polyesters. The variety of available SC materials is very limited despite the multiple options provided by state-of-the-art stereoselective monomer synthesis and polymerization methods. A combination of knowledge from the three scientific areas (i.e., organic chemistry, synthetic macromolecular chemistry, and materials science) thus has enormous potential to create novel materials with additional features enabled by the introduction of functional moieties to such materials besides the adjustment of thermal as well as mechanical properties.