A well-controlled ring-opening alternating copolymerization (ROAC) of cyclic anhydrides and isobutylene oxide (IBO) using organobase catalysts was developed. Using t-BuP2 as a catalyst, the ROAC of phthalic anhydride (PA) and IBO proceeds smoothly, yielding crystalline P(PA-alt-IBO) with narrow molecular weight distribution (Đ ≤ 1.1). This method was extended to other cyclic anhydrides and initiators. Additionally, this ROAC system was applied to the synthesis of copolymers, including statistical copolymer and block copolymer. This study provides a straightforward and precise strategy for synthesizing crystalline polyesters and further macromolecular designs.
- Moeno Sugiyama
- Ryota Suzuki
- Toshifumi Satoh
