A novel α-n-propyl-substituted seven-membered cyclic carbonate (α-n-Pr-TEMC) was synthesized and used to prepare its homopolymer and statistical copolymer with ε-caprolactone (ε-CL). Homopolymerization via Sn(Oct)2-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization proceeded in a controlled manner. The α‑n-propyl substituent effectively moderated the monomer’s reactivity, enabling its statistical copolymerization with ε-CL, as confirmed by NMR analysis. DSC curves demonstrated transition from a semi-crystalline homopolymer to a copolymer with suppressed crystallinity. This work demonstrates α-n-Pr-TEMC’s utility as a comonomer for tailoring the properties of biodegradable polyesters.
Serova et al. (Mon,) studied this question.