Role of hydroxyl-containing compounds in processes of cationic polymerization of dl-lactide☆

A study was made of the effect of cetyl alcohol, glycolic acid and water on cationic polymerization of dl-lactide, initiated by SnCl2·2H2O in melt in the temperature range of 135–170°. Hydroxyl-containing compounds increase process rate as a result of a variation in the mechanism of chain propagation (hydroxo-mechanism). As a result of the variation of the mechanism reaction order for the initiator changes, the activation energy of the process decreases and MW and MWD of the polymer change.