Heterogeneous Double Metal Cyanide Catalyzed Synthesis of Poly(?-caprolactone) Polyols for the Preparation of Thermoplastic Elastomers

A series of polycaprolactones (PCLs) with molecular weights 950–10,100 g mol?1 and Ð 1.10–1.87 have been synthesized via one-pot, solvent-free ring-opening polymerization (ROP) ?-caprolactone (CL) using a heterogeneous double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst. Various initiators, such as polypropylene glycol, ethylene propylene glycerol, sorbitol, are employed to tune the number hydroxyl end groups properties resultant PCLs. Kinetic studies indicate that DMC-catalyzed ROP CL proceeds similar mechanism coordination polymerization. Branched PCLs copolymers also copolymerization glycidol. The ?,?-hydroxyl functionalized were successfully used telechelic polymers produce thermoplastic poly(ester-ester) poly(ester-urethane) elastomers well-balanced stress strain properties.