Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
8332275 
Journal Article 
Polyanhydrides. I. Preparation of high molecular weight polyanhydrides 
Domb, AJ; Langer, R 
1987 
Yes 
Journal of Polymer Science. Part A, Polymer Chemistry
ISSN: 0887-624X
EISSN: 1099-0518 
25 
12 
3373-3386 
English 
Polyanhydrides composed of the following diacids–sebacic acid, bis(p‐carboxyphenoxy)propane, bis(p‐carboxyphenoxy)hexane, isophthalic acid, 1,4‐phenylene dipropionic acid, and dodecanedioic acid–were synthesized by a melt polycondensation process. Polymers of molecular weight up to 137,010 (weight average) and intrinsic viscosity of 0.92 dL/g were achieved. These high molecular weight polymers were reached by using pure isolated mixed anhydrides of diacids and acetic acid, under optimized reaction conditions (temperature of 180°C for 90 min under vacuum of 10‐4 mm Hg). Polymers of higher molecular weights were synthesized in shorter times by using heterogenic coordination catalysts: cadmium acetate, ZnEt2‐H2O (1:1), barium oxide, calcium oxide, and calcium carbonate. By using these catalysts molecular weights of up to 245,000 were reached in 30 min of reaction. Films made of high molecular weight bis(p‐carboxyphenoxy)propane–sebacic acid copolymers showed tensile strengths of 40–160 kg/cm2; the strength increased as a function of the bis(p‐carboxyphenoxy)propane content and molecular weight. Copyright © 1987 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.