Thermal degradation of poly(L-lactide): Accelerating effect of residual DBU-based organic catalysts

1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) organic catalyst has generated a tremendous impact in the metal-free ring-opening polymerization of (di)lactones. Interestingly, its extraction after use has never been studied so far and a simple deactivation by addition of benzoic acid to generate the corresponding salt has always been supposed to kill its activity. This study reveals and highlights the importance of the work-up to remove or at least drastically limit the presence of the benzoic acid/DBU salt from poly(L-lactide). Three different extraction methods allowed us to conclude that a two-step work-up gathering liquid/liquid extractions and a drop by drop precipitation is highly required to keep the enantiomerically pure lactic acid polymer safe. If not perfectly extracted the benzoic acid/DBU salt has been proved to degrade the materials during a melt process even during a differential scanning calorimetry experiment. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.