Coordination polymerization of lactides, 4. The role of transesterification in the copolymerization of <scp>L</scp>,<scp>L</scp>‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone

Abstract

Abstract Two modes of transesterification in copolymerization of L , L ‐lactide with ε‐caprolactone in the presence of initiators containing Al and Zn were found. The quantitative analysis of the contributions of both types of transesterification reactions is revealed. The transesterification ability of initiators containing zinc is greater than that of initiators containing aluminium. Decrease of the reaction temperature tends to reduce both the first and the second mode of transesterification, leading to an elongation of blocks in the copolymer chains.