Coordination polymerization of lactides, 3. Copolymerization of <scp>L</scp>,<scp>L</scp>‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone in the presence of initiators containing Zn and Al

Abstract

Abstract High‐molecular‐weight copolymers of L , L ‐lactide with ε‐caprolactone were synthesized using initiators containing aluminium and zinc, i.e., AlEt 2 OEt, ZnEtO i Pr, Al(acac) 3 and AlEt 3 + ZnEt 2 + H 2 O. The chain microstructure was revealed to vary from random to diblock arrangement, depending on temperature and the kind of initiator used. In case of Al(acac) 3 as initiator, the reactivity ratios of L , L ‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone were determined to be r L = 44 and r C = 0,28, respectively.