Synthesis and characterization of allyl functionalized poly(α-hydroxy)acids and their further dihydroxylation and epoxidation

In this study, the synthesis of an allyl functionalized aliphatic polyester and the subsequent oxidation of the double bonds was investigated. Allylglycolide (3-allyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione) was synthesized and its homopolymer and copolymers with l-lactide were prepared by ring opening polymerization in the melt using benzyl alcohol and SnOct2 as initiator and catalyst, respectively. The polymerizations proceeded with high yields and conversions and good control over molecular weights and copolymer composition. The obtained polymers were amorphous materials and their Tg increased with increasing lactide content. Dihydroxylation of the double bonds in poly(allylglycolide) and copolymers with lactide was attempted with osmiumtetroxide/4-methylmorpholine-4-oxide (OsO4/NMO). However, particularly the polymers rich in allylglycolide could not be isolated after dihydroxylation because they likely underwent degradation during workup. Optimizing the reaction conditions gave partially dihydroxylated copolymers only for copolymers with high lactide content (50 and 75 mol%) with a conversion of the double bonds of only ∼60%. GPC analysis showed that chain scission had occurred during the dihydroxylation reaction and/or workup.The allyl groups of poly(allylglycolide) homopolymers and copolymers with lactide were oxidized using m-chloroperoxy benzoic acid (mCPBA) to yield the corresponding epoxidated polymers in high yield. NMR analysis showed that conversion of the double bonds to epoxides was quantitative, whereas GPC analysis showed that the epoxidation was not associated with chain scission. All epoxidated polymers were amorphous materials with a Tg depending on the composition.