Poly film ring-opening polymerization

The cyclolinear polycarbosilane, (poly(l-hexyl-l,3-ditolyl-l,3-disilacyclobutane), prepared by ADMET polymerization as reported previously (see Scheme 13) was modified by grafting poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or polystyrene <2006MM8684>. Polydiphenylsilylenemethylene thin films have been synthesized by using laser-ablated metal nanoparticles for the thermal ring-opening polymerization of l,l,3,3-tetraphenyl-l,3-disilacyclobutane <2007MI3093>. 

Poly(e-caprolactone) (3) (23) is synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactone using tin-octanoate as a catalyst (24). It is used, for example, as blown film for compost bags or in materials where it serves as a matrix for the controlled release of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. The low melting point of poly(e-caprolactone) (60°C) (Table 1) limits applications, but it has good mechanical properties and is more hydrophobic than—and compatible with—many biopolymers. It is therefore widely used to modify the properties of other degradable plastics in blends (see below). 

Polymeric hydroxy group also initiated the enzymatic ring-opening polymerization of fi-CL (186). The polymerization was performed using thermophilic lipase as catalyst in the presence of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) film to produce HEC- raft-poly(e-CL) with degree of substitution from 0.10 to 0.32. 

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