Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Polymerization ofɛ-Caprolactone by Neodymium Alkoxides Prepared In Situ

The synthesis of lanthanide(III) alkoxides has been described as a series of reactions for which the control of product purity is difficult. The possibility of using amide complexes, in the presence of alcohol, to produce alkoxides was investigated in homogeneous and heterogeneous media. The polymerization of ε-caprolactone with alkoxides formed in situ was performed with and without excess alcohol. The latter system was efficient since the polymers were obtained in a short time period, with a well-controlled molecular weight and low polydispersity. The alcohol functionalized all the polymer chains.