Ring-opening copolymerization of succinic anhydride with ethylene oxide initiated by magnesium diethoxide

The ring-opening copolymerization of succinic anhydride (SA) with ethylene oxide (EO) was carried out by using mainly magnesium diethoxide (ME) as an initiator. ME was superior with respect to polymerization yield and number-average molecular weight (Mn) of the copolymers obtained. The copolymers were found to be alternating copolymers independent of feed monomer molar ratio. The yield and the M-n of the copolymers increased with the polymerization temperature and the time within 48 h. There was a maximum of M-n at a time of 48 h, at 100 degrees C. The M-n of the alternating copolymers was as high as 1.3 x 10(4). The M-n of the copolymers increased proportionally with the increase of monomer/initiator molar ratio (M/I) up to M/I = 400. From analysis of the end-groups of low M-n of copolymers by H-1 n.m.r., these copolymers were a mixture of two copolymers having different end groups. One had ethyl ester group connecting with SA at either end group, the other had ethyl ester group connecting with SA and hydroxyl group connecting with EO. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.