Samarium(III)-mediated graft polymerization of ε-caprolactone and L-lactide on functionalized poly(p-xylylene)s:: Model studies and polymerizations

The reductive coupling of ar aromatic monocarbonyl compounds in the presence of SmI2 results in the formation of Samarium(lll) dialkoxides. These Sm(III) dialkoxides have been utilized as initiators fbr ring opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones and lactides. The reductive coupling of aromatic dicarbonyl compounds results in the formation of Sm(III) polyalkoxides which have been used as polyinitiator for (ROP) of lactones and lactides. The products of this process are poly(p-xylylene)s grafted by polylactones or polylactides. Grafting efficiency depends significantly on reaction conditions and is currently limited to 28%. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.