Biocompatible Catalysts for Lactide Polymerization—Catalyst Activity, Racemization Effect, and Optimization of the Polymerization Based On Design of Experiments
Agnieszka Gadomska‐Gajadhur, Paweł Ruśkowski
Abstract
An original synthesis of Ca, Mg, and Zn 2-ethylhexanoate (octoate) obtained by reaction between metallic powder with 2-ethylhexanoic acid was achieved. The activities of obtaining biocompatible catalysts of lactide polymerization were tested. The most active catalyst was zinc 2-ethylhexanoate (ZnOct2), and the lowest activity catalyst was calcium 2-ethylhexanoate (CaOct2). The ROP process was successfully optimized by using the design of the experiment. Polylactide with Mw = 82.3 kg/mol with lactide conversion up to 85% and 8% content of D-lactic acid has been obtained. Thus, the obtained polylactides can be used in medical and pharmaceutical devices.
Topics & Concepts
CatalysisPolymerizationLactideRacemizationLactic acidChemistryBiocompatible materialRing-opening polymerizationZincMonomerPolymer chemistryMaterials scienceOrganic chemistryPolymerBiomedical engineeringBacteriaBiologyGeneticsMedicinebiodegradable polymer synthesis and propertiesCarbon dioxide utilization in catalysis