Thermodynamics of α-angelicalactone polymerization

Abstract

Abstract Thermodynamics of sodium butoxide-catalyzed polymerization of α-angelicalactone (a five-member unsaturated lactone) is studied by calorimetric methods. A polymer with Mw = 2,500 g/mol and the ratio of C–O to C–C inter-monomeric bonds 87–13% is obtained; this polymerization is characterized by the values of = −33.41 kJ/mol, = −42.69 J/(mol∙K) and = −20.68 kJ/mol. This and similar polymers and copolymers are biodegradable and can be produced from commercially available green bio-platform feedstock: renewable carbohydrates and levulinic acid.