Abstract
Herein the first reported preparation of diblock copolymers of the polyethylene‐like polyester poly(ω‐pentadecalactone) (PPDL) via a combination of enzymatic ring‐opening polymerization (eROP) and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization techniques is described. PPDL was synthesized via eROP using Novozyme 435 as a catalyst and a bifunctional initiator/chain transfer agent (CTA) appropriate for the eROP of ω‐pentadecalactone (PDL) and RAFT polymerization of acrylic and styrenic monomers. Chain growth of the PPDL macro‐CTA was performed to prepare acrylic and styrenic diblock copolymers of PPDL, and demonstrates a facile, metal‐free, and “greener” alternative to preparing acrylic diblock copolymers of polyethylene (PE). Diblock copolymer architecture was substantiated via analysis of 1H NMR spectroscopic, UV‐GPC chromatographic, DSC onset crystallization (T c), and MALDI‐ToF mass spectrometric data.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3326-3335 |
Journal | Journal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry |
Volume | 54 |
Issue number | 20 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 18 Jul 2016 |
Keywords
- diblock copolymers
- enzymes
- polyesters
- renewable resources
- ring‐opening polymerization
- reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)