Metal Free Catalysts for the Ring-Opening Polymerization of cyclic Esters and Lactide

Technology: Metal Free Catalysts for the Ring-Opening Polymerization;

Industry: Home Appliances, Surgical/Medical applications, Applications: Flexible Films, rigid containers, drink cups, medical applications.

Market: The global market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.6% during forecast period of 2021 to 2027.

Synthetic petrochemical-based polymers have had a tremendous industrial impact, including two major drawbacks such as non-renewable resources in the production of polymers, & ultimate fate of these large scale commodity polymers.
Further, a few non-patent literature discussed about the ring opening polymerization which has clearly been stimulated by the promising results obtained with pyridines & phosphines.
Further a few patent literatures discussed regarding various polymerization reaction for preparation of poly lactides, however those metal catalyst suffers from extreme hydrolytic sensitivity & limited solubility features which restricts to use those catalyst
Hence, there is a need to address the issues & present invention provides the sustainable solution to mitigate above issues.

Present invention describes a process for synthesizing an environmentally benign biodegradable polymer with a high number average molecular weight Mn comprises of ring opening polymerization of a selected monomer of ε-caprolactone (CL) or L-lactide (LA) with an active catalyst and benzyl alcohol in a predetermined feed ratio and in a solvent free condition.
The selected catalyst is having a general formula: wherein
R1 may be NH2 or – OEt;
R2 may be – OEt or Oph,
The process involves method for synthesizing an environmentally benign biodegradable polymer;
The feed ratio of monomer, catalyst & benzyl alcohol ranges from 200:1 to 1000:1 or 200:1:3 to 200:1:20 and more preferably 200:1 or 200:1:3;
The number average molecular weight of the polymer is between 2.0 kg/mol & 80.78 kg/mol & molecular weight distribution is between 1.1 and 1.3.

Technical Perspective:

Present patent provides a polycaprolactone which is synthesized from the selected monomer εcaprolactone (CL).
Further, present patent provides a polylactide which is synthesized from the selected monomer L-lactide (LA).

Industrial Perspective:

Present Patent is utilizing metal free catalyst & used for biomedical application.
It is an eco-friendly, green & sustainable process of synthesis of biodegradable polymers using new catalysts.
Cost-effective process & environmentally benign biodegradable polymer employing active metal free catalyst.

Prof. Debashis Chakraborty

Department of Chemistry

TRL-3/4

Proof of Concept & validated in Lab

Technology Transfer