Polylactones 26. Lithium alkoxide‐initiated polymerizations of L‐lactide

Lithium alkoxide‐initiated polymerizations of L ‐lactide were conducted in toluene at 50°C. The initiator solutions were prepared in situ from butyllithium and benzyl alcohol, 1‐tetradecanol, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether or poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether. These lithium alkoxides initiate the polymerization via nucleophilic attack, forming alkyl ester end‐groups as evidenced by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. High yields, high molecular weights and a relatively high optical purity (up to 95%) of the isolated poly( L ‐lactide) may be obtained.