Methods for production of biodegradable polyesters
AssigneeNovomer, Inc.
InventorsChristopher A. DeRosa, Eric Stoutenburg
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Abstract
Disclosed are methods of efficiently making poly(3-hydroxypropionate) (polypropiolactones) and related copolymers from 3-hydroxypropionate (beta propiolactone) utilizing zwitterionic polymerization initiators. In another aspect, the present invention provides polymerization systems comprising combinations of initiators and monomers that together enable the efficient production of poly(3-hydroxypropionate) (polypropiolactones) and related copolymers. Disclosed are novel polymer compositions having structures and/or compositional characteristics that differentiate them from previously produced polymers and polymer compositions.
Claims28
A polymer comprising one or more polymer chains of beta propiolactone and/or substituted beta propiolactone and having on one end of the chains a residue of a zwitterion having an anion and a cation wherein the anion portion is covalently bonded to the one end of the polymer chains, wherein the ratio of beta propiolactone and/or substituted beta propiolactones to the zwitterion is from about 100 to 1 to about 1,000,000 to 1.
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A polymerizable composition comprising:
- a. one or more of beta propiolactone and/or substituted beta propiolactones;
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- b. one or more zwitterionic initiators, wherein the ratio of the one or more of beta propiolactone and/or substituted beta propiolactones to the one or more zwitterionic initiators is from 100 to 1 to 1,000,000 to 1.
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A method comprising contacting one or more of beta propiolactone and/or substituted beta propiolactones and comonomers with one or more zwitterionic initiators under conditions to prepare one or more polymers comprising one or more polymer chains having ring opened beta propiolactone and/or substituted beta propiolactone units and having on one end of the chains a residue of a zwitterion having an anion and a cation wherein the anion portion is covalently bonded to the one end of the polymer chains;
- the ratio of the one or more of beta propiolactone and/or substituted beta propiolactones to the one or more zwitterionic initiators is from about 100 to 1 to about 1,000,000 to 1.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.