Abstract
Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) was prepared by ring-opening polymerization reactions of racemic β-butyrolactone (( R,S)-β-BL) using tetraisobutyldialuminoxane (TIBAO). A study was conducted on the effects of catalyst concentration, polymerization time, polymerization temperature, nature of solvent, modifications of the catalyst by water addition and TIBAO purification on the yield and molecular weights of the polymer obtained. Optimal conditions for the synthesis of highest yield and molecular weights of the polymer were determined. By adding water to TIBAO, molecular weights increased but also polydispersities. Quantitative yields of crude PHB were obtained but reaction times required were long, molecular weights were quite low and molecular weight distributions were broad. A study of the TIBAO stereospecificity, the polymers structure and morphology and their biodegradation will be considered in future papers.
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