Access to bromo-functionalized polyester by ring-opening polymerization of a bridged bicyclic lactone and application for grafted copolymers

• Published in: European polymer journal 2024-08, Vol.216, p.113264, Article 113264
• Main Authors: Liu, Yihuan, Zhao, Rongji, Dai, Yu, Ou, Shi, Tian, Zhe, Wu, Jiaqi, Xu, Ning, Sun, Yongxiang, Li, Yuguang, Hu, Xin, Zhu, Ning, Guo, Kai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bridged bicyclic lactone; Bromo-functionalized polymers; Grafted copolymers; Ring-opening polymerization
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2024.113264

Ring-opening polymerization of a novel bridged bicyclic lactone was carried out for bromo-functionalized polyesters, which was used as the macroinitiator for Cu(0)-mediated controlled radical polymerization. [Display omitted] Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of bridged bicyclic lactones has been proved to be effective method for degradable polyesters, especially recyclable polymers. Herein, we reported a novel bromo-functionalized bridged bicyclic lactone (MBr) from a biobased olefin carboxylic acid. The investigation of polymerization system showed that urea/1,8-Diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (DBU) catalyzed ROP of MBr is well-controlled. Quantitative monomer conversion (98 %) was achieved and bromo-functionalized polyesters (PMBr) with high molecular weights (up to 91800 g/mol) were produced. Cu(0)-mediated controlled radical polymerization of methyl acrylate with PMBr as macroinitiators afforded grafted copolymers. This strategy would provide more convenience for the synthesis of bromo-functionalized polyesters and grafted copolymers.