Ring-opening polymerization of γ-lactones and copolymerization with other cyclic monomers

摘要: Abstract Triggered by raised environmental awareness and the rising requirements for sustainable polymers such as degradable or recyclable polymers, studies on ring-opening (co)polymerization (ROP/ROCP) of (bio-based) cyclic monomers (e.g., esters, lactides, epoxides etc.) have been booming in recent years. Renewable five-membered γ-butyrolactone (γBL) derivatives would thus be a desirable feedstock to produce poly(γ-butyrolactone) (PγBL) different functional polyesters. Their copolymerization with other could also afford an alternative tune properties resulting materials. Although γBL was traditionally regarded “non-polymerizable”, some progresses were made recently concerning ROP/ROCP derivatives. More importantly, polyesters totally depolymerized back their thermal chemical treatment. This review is specially focused ROP γ-lactones catalytic/initiating systems, including Lewis/Bronsted acids, organic bases alkali metal compounds, organometallic cooperative bicomponent catalytic systems. The depolymerization process obtained discussed.