Stereogradient polycaprolactones formed by asymmetric kinetic resolution polymerization of 6-methyl-ε-caprolactone

Chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalyzed asymmetric kinetic resolution polymerization (AKRP) of 6-methyl-epsilon-caprolactone (6-MeCL) has been developed to synthesize stereogradient polycaprolactones. When using (R)-CPA as the catalyst, (R)-6-MeCL monomers were preferentially consumed, which was determined by chiral Hplc analysis and kinetic experiments. The AKRP process delivered polycaprolactones (PCLs) with high chain-end fidelity, controlled molecular weights and narrow molar mass dispersity. Moreover, the thermal properties, viscoelasticity and degradation characteristics of the resulting PCLs were also investigated.

Automated summary

The asymmetric kinetic resolution polymerization catalyzed by chiral phosphoric acid can produce stereogradient polycaprolactones with controlled properties such as chain-end fidelity, molecular weights, and molar mass dispersity. The resulting PCLs exhibit high quality thermal properties, viscoelasticity, and degradation characteristics.