Jolanta Baran

Poly(Alkylene Phosphate)S Related to Nucleic and Teichoic Acids

Abstract Preparation, some properties and applications of the bioanalogous poly(alkylene phosphatels, obtained according to the methods elaborated in these authors laboratory, are reviewed. Ring-opening polymerization, polyaddition, and two-step polycondensation methods are effective in the synthesis of polymers with various moieties of nucleic and teichoic acids (NA and TA respectively). The major aim of the work is to find relatively simple methods, allowing high molecular weight polymers to be prepared. Thus, preparation of poly(glycerol phosphate), poly(trimethylgne phosphate) bearing NA bases, and other related polymers with M n > 104 are described.

KINETICS OF ELEMENTARY REACTIONS IN CYCLIC ESTER POLYMERIZATION

Kinetics of the polymerization of L-lactide (LA) and e-caprolactone (CL) initiated with dialkylaluminum alkoxide, aluminum trialkoxide and related metal alkoxides is reviewed. The former give aggregating active species, and a method is described allowing simultaneous determination of the rate constants of propagation and aggregation equilibrium constants. It has been shown that tin“ dicarboxylate (dioctoate) requires a coinitiator in order to start polymerization. Both kinetic and spectroscopic evidence indicate that propagation proceeds on the —Sn-OR bonds. The major reaction accompanying propagation is the chain transfer-to polymer; either inter or intramolecular. Methods are described giving access to the rate constants of both transfers Finally, correlation is given between the atomic number of metal involved in the active species and the determined rate constants: the larger the atomic number, the higher is the rate constant of propagation and the less selective is the polymerization process.