Radical ring-opening polymerization (rROP) of cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) provides a route to synthesize biodegradable polyesters and confer biodegradability to traditional vinyl polymers. However, efficient incorporation of CKA during copolymerization with vinyl comonomers remains challenging, due to the slow polymerization kinetics of CKA, as reflected by the low reactivity ratios. Two promising CKAs with quantitative ring-opening were synthesized, 2-methylene-1,3,6-trioxocane (MTC), and 5,6-benzo-2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (BMDO). Modeling assisted copolymerizations of MTC/BMDO with 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NVP) using various dosing strategies were performed to increase CKA conversion and achieve a uniform distribution of esters on the copolymer backbone. Comprehensive analytical techniques were used for structural characterization, including molecular weight, sequence length and distribution, evidence of branching, and termination mechanisms.

Novel synthesis and characterization of cyclic ketene acetal (CKA) and N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) copolymers

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.