10. Synthesis and synthetic mechanism of Polylactic acid
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Xavier Montané
Abstract
At present, Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most used biodegradable polyesters. The good properties and its biodegradability make that PLA can replace the fossil fuel derived polymers in different applications. PLA can be synthesized by using different methodologies. Among them, the most widely used forms on an industrial scale are the direct polycondensation of Lactic acid and the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic Lactide. The final properties of the obtained PLA are dependent on the used stereoisomers of the raw materials (Lactic acid and/or Lactide) and the conditions employed to polymerize them. Therefore, the comprehension of the synthetic mechanism of PLA is crucial to control the stereoregularity of PLA, which in turn results in an improvement of the polymer properties. So, distinct mechanisms for the synthesis of PLA by ring-opening polymerization using different catalysts systems (organometallic catalysts, cationic catalyst, organic catalyst, bifunctional catalysts) are examined in this review.
Abstract
At present, Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most used biodegradable polyesters. The good properties and its biodegradability make that PLA can replace the fossil fuel derived polymers in different applications. PLA can be synthesized by using different methodologies. Among them, the most widely used forms on an industrial scale are the direct polycondensation of Lactic acid and the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic Lactide. The final properties of the obtained PLA are dependent on the used stereoisomers of the raw materials (Lactic acid and/or Lactide) and the conditions employed to polymerize them. Therefore, the comprehension of the synthetic mechanism of PLA is crucial to control the stereoregularity of PLA, which in turn results in an improvement of the polymer properties. So, distinct mechanisms for the synthesis of PLA by ring-opening polymerization using different catalysts systems (organometallic catalysts, cationic catalyst, organic catalyst, bifunctional catalysts) are examined in this review.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Preface v
- Contents vii
- List of contributing authors xiii
- 1. Inorganic acids – technology background and future perspectives 1
- 2. Innovative processes in the production of inorganic bases and derived salts of current interest 33
- 3. Technology of simple hydrocarbon intermediates 65
- 4. Technology of large volume alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters 101
- 5. Trends in technology of oxygen containing hydrocarbons: aldehydes, ketones, ethers 147
- 6. Novel technologies of nitrogen-based compounds 163
- 7. Halogened hydrocarbons – current trends 193
- 8. Novel trends in technology of surfactants 223
- 9. Process simulation approach in computer aided industrial design 251
- 10. Synthesis and synthetic mechanism of Polylactic acid 281
- Index 297
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Preface v
- Contents vii
- List of contributing authors xiii
- 1. Inorganic acids – technology background and future perspectives 1
- 2. Innovative processes in the production of inorganic bases and derived salts of current interest 33
- 3. Technology of simple hydrocarbon intermediates 65
- 4. Technology of large volume alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters 101
- 5. Trends in technology of oxygen containing hydrocarbons: aldehydes, ketones, ethers 147
- 6. Novel technologies of nitrogen-based compounds 163
- 7. Halogened hydrocarbons – current trends 193
- 8. Novel trends in technology of surfactants 223
- 9. Process simulation approach in computer aided industrial design 251
- 10. Synthesis and synthetic mechanism of Polylactic acid 281
- Index 297
