Synthesis of Oxetane‐Functional Aliphatic Polyesters via Enzymatic Polycondensation

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal properties of a series of oxetane‐functional aliphatic polyesters are investigated. The incorporation of the acid‐sensitive 3,3‐bis(hydroxymethyl)oxetane (BHMO) into polymers is achieved by using the enzyme CALB ( Candida antarctica Lipase B ) as a catalyst. This mild synthetic strategy provides well‐defined, oxetane‐functional polyesters. The enzymatic polycondensation allows for the synthesis of a series of aliphatic polyesters containing various ratios of the difunctional monomers sebacic acid, 1,8‐octanediol, and BHMO with molecular weights between 5000–9800 g mol −1 and polydispersity indices ( M w / M n ) in the range of 1.25 and 1.92. Furthermore, crosslinking of BHMO and a polymer sample is carried out via opening of the pending oxetanes.