GB1000401A - Improvements in and relating to lactone polymers - Google Patents

Abstract

High molecular weight polyesters are made by polymerizing certain lactones having 6-18 atoms in the ring in the presence of an organometallic compound of formula (a) MR1, where M is an alkali metal and R1 is a hydrocarbon, pyridyl or furyl radical; (b) Ra-M-Rb, where M is a Group II metal (e.g. Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn or Cd), Ra is a hydrocarbon, pyridyl or furyl radical, and Rb is a hydrogen or halogen atom or a hydrocarbon, secondary amino, hydrocarbyloxy, pyridyl or furyl radical; or (c) R1-M-R112, where M is a Group IIIB metal (e.g. Al, Ga or In), R1 is a hydrocarbon radical free of ethylenic or acetylenic unsaturation and each R11 is a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkoxy, aryloxy or hydrocarbon radical free from ethylenic or acetylenic unsaturation. The lactones have the formula <FORM:1000401/C3/1> where each R is hydrogen, halo, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy alkyl, alkoxy or aryloxy; A is an oxygen or sulphur atom or a divalent saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group; and x is 1-15, y is 1-15 and z is 0 or 1; with the provisos that (a) the total number of organic substituents attached to the carbon atoms in the lactone ring does not exceed 4, (b) from 2-4 continuously linked carbon atoms contained in the lactone ring can represent a portion of a saturated cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon nucleus containing 4-10 carbon atoms and (c) the four R variables attached to any two adjacent carbon atoms in the lactone ring can represent a portion of an aromatic hydrocarbon nucleus which is fused to the lactone ring. Polymerization is preferably effected at - 40 DEG to +250 DEG C. in an inert atmosphere and in the absence of water, carbon dioxide, aldehydes and ketones by a batch or continuous process. Bulk, suspension or solution polymerization may be used. The polyesters may be used in the preparation of cosmetics, polishes, waxes, thickening agents for lubricants, sizes for celluolic materials, anti-static agents, protective coatings and impregnants, oil additives, shaped articles, fibres, films, binders for "green" linoleum, adhesives for vinyl resin sheets and plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride. Examples describe the polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone, mixed methyl substituted epsilon caprolactones, zeta-enantholactone, mixtures of epsilon-caprolactone and delta-valero lactone, beta - methyl - delta - valerolactone, 2 - keto - 1,4 - dioxane, and mixtures of epsilon-caprolactone and mixed methyl substituted epsilon-caprolactones.