Ring-opening Polymerization of D,L-Lactide by Lanthanide Tris(2,4,6-trimethylphenolate): Characteristics and Kinetics

Tris(2,4,6‐trimethylphenolate) lanthanide [Ln(OTMP)3] has been prepared and employed for ring‐opening polymerization of D,L‐lactide (LA) as single‐component catalysts. The characteristics, kinetics and mechanism were examined. The polymerization is first‐order with respect to monomer and initiator concentration, and the overall activation energy amounts to 62.9 kJ/mol. DSC curve disclosed the random structure of PLA. 1H NMR spectrum analysis demonstrates that the polymerization of LA proceeded through acyl‐oxygen bond cleavage.