Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Vol.23, No.3, 200-204, 2002
An easy way toward epsilon-caprolactone macromonomers by microwave irradiation using early lanthanide halides as catalysts
Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) macromonomers were synthesized under microwave irradiation from commercial caprolactone. using commercial hydrated lanthanide halides as catalysts. The molecular weight of the polymers was in the range 3000-5000. Higher molecular weights (5000-20000) and lower polydispersity indices were obtained with THF adducts of the lanthanide halides as catalysts and also by applying longer reaction times or using diethylene glycol as a coupling reagent.