Cationic copolymerization of glycolide with dl-lactide☆

Abstract A study was made of kinetic regularities of copolymerization of glycolide with dl -lactide in melt in the presence of ZnCl 2 and SnCl 2 ·2H 2 O as initiators. Glycolide is much more active than dl -lactide in copolymerization ( r = 4·6 and 0·3, respectively). The type of initiator and activation of the process with hydroxyl-containing compounds have no effect on the relative activity of monomers. A study was made of the dependence of melting point, glass temperature and the heat of melting on copolymer composition.