Rapid and efficient synthesis of high molecular weight poly(ƒÕ-caprolactone) diols by microwave-assisted polymer synthesis (MAPS)

G.A. GOTELLI; G.A. ABRAHAM; A. SOSNIK

Los Cocos, Córdoba, Argentina

Simposio; V Simposio Chileno-Argentino de Polimeros, ARCHIPOL; 2009

A main limitation in the synthesis of biomaterials is the lack of reproducibility and scaling up in an industrial setting. In order to assure reproducible, scalable and cost-effective synthetic processes that would enable the approval of the product by regulatory agencies, novel synthetic methodologies are essential. Due to remarkable advantageous features, microwave-assisted organic synthesis (MAOS) has attracted much interest in recent years. The main advantages of this technology over conventional synthetic methods are: (a) shorter reaction times, (b) higher yields, (c) limited generation of by-products, and, due to radiation homogenously distributed (d) the relatively easy scale up without detrimental effects (Kappe, 2004). The high temperatures attainable make reactions possible that would otherwise not proceed. Contrary to organic chemistry, the use of this technology for polymer synthesis and macromolecular modification in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications is more limited (Wiesbrock et al., 2004). Having expressed this, increasing interest has been shown during the last few years in order to implement this technology in the applied chemistry field. The present work reports the preliminary results in the fast and efficient Microwave-Assisted synthesis of PEG-initiated high-molecular weight poly(e-caprolactone) diols by ring-opening polymerization reactions (ROP) in solvent and bulk conditions. The influence of reaction parameters (time, type of solvent, dilution and radiation potency) was investigated.