epsilon-CAPROLACTONE → L-lactide epsilon-caprolactone

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

The procedure of Example II is repeated except that 500 grams of L-(-)-lactide, 55.5 grams of epsilon caprolactone and 5 ml of benzene containing 1 gram of stannous caprylate are placed in the ampoule, evacuated, sealed and heated for 18 hours at 130° C. and then 45 minutes at 160° C. The copolymer has GPC molecular weights of Mw = 223,000 and Mn = 35,700. The residual lactide comprises about 1.65 percent. Compression molded specimens are strong and transparent with a DTA melting point of 151° C. when fast cooled. Slow-cooled moldings are opaque and show an increased DTA crystallinity. The molded specimens have GPC molecular weights of Mw = 116,200 and Mn = 22,000. The residual monomer comprises about 1.8 percent. Physical properties are listed in more detail in Table 1.

Provenance & Evidence