The synthesis of poly(isobutylene-b-e-caprolactone) block copolymers containing amorphous rubbery/crystalline block segments was accomplished by the combination of living cationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB) with the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of e-caprolactone (e-CL). The synthesis involved the living cationic polymerization of IB using 1,2-propylene oxide/TiCl4 initiating system and termination with allyltrimethylsilane to yield functionalized allyl-PIB-OH with a Mn=4,306 g/mol and Mw/Mn=1.21. The structure of hydroxyl end-functional PIB was confirmed by 1H NMR and the molecular weight was determined by SEC. The resulting allyl-PIB-OH was successfully used as macroinitiator for the ROP of e-CL in the presence of Candida Antarctica Lipase B (CALB), giving poly(IB-b-e-CL) copolymer. The block copolymer exhibited Mn= 7,253 g/mol and Mw/Mn=1.26. Characterization of the block copolymer by SEC, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy was performed.

Synthesis of poly(isobutylene-b-e-caprolactone) diblock copolymer using enzyme catalysis

247th National Meeting (2014)

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