Synthesis, Crystal Structure of [(MeC_5H_4)_2Ln(μ-OCH_2CH_2NMe_2)]_2 (Ln=Sm, Y, Nd) and Their Catalytic Activity for Ring-Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone

Reaction of (MeC 5H 4) 3Ln with HOCH 2CH 2NMe 2 in tetrahydrofuran(THF) gives the new complexes [(MeC 5H 4) 2Ln(μ OCH 2CH 2NMe 2)] 2 (Ln=Sm, Y, Nd) with nitrogen functionalized μ alkoxide ligand. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and IR, and [(MeC 5H 4) 2Sm(μ OCH 2CH 2NMe 2)] 2 was structurally characterized by the X ray diffraction to be a dimer formed by two unsymmetric oxygen bridges. The complex has a tricyclic skeleton with the additional two Sm-N bonds via intramolecular coordination of OCH 2CH 2NMe 2. The coordination number of the central metal Sm is nine. The title complexes show good catalytic activity for ring opening polymerization of ε caprolactone.

Synthesis and characterization of caprolactone based polyurethane with degradable and antifouling performance

In this work,a degradable polyurethane composed of caprolactone(CL)and L-Lactide(LLA)as soft segments,and 4,40-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate)(H12 MDI)and polytetramethylene ether glycol(PTMEG)as hard segments,was prepared.Hydrolytic degradation experiment revealed that the degradable polyurethane(PU)could be degraded in artificial seawater.It also showed that caprolactone-copolyurethane(CL-PU)copolymer with higher crystallinity degraded much slower in artificial seawater.However,the introduction of LLA resulted in an increase in the hydrophilicity and reduction in the crystallinity of degradable PU,as demonstrated by the contact angle analysis.The result of the scanning electron microscope showed that the surface of degradable PU renewed under static condition.Moreover,degradable PU was able to be used as a carrier,and it controlled the release rate of 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-isothiazolone(DCOIT).The anti-diatom(Navicula incerta)test demonstrated that the(caprolactone-co-L-lactide)-co-polyurethane 4(CL/LAx-PU4)with DCOIT contents prevented the adhesion of diatom Navicula incerta(88.37%reduction)due to their self-polishing and the release of antifoulants.Therefore,the degradable PU consisted of CL,LLA,and DCOIT could be a durable resin with good antifouling activity for the application in the marine anti-biofouling field.

Synthesis of ε-Caprolactone by Oxidation of Cyclohexanone with Monoperoxysuccinic Acid

In the absence of catalyst,70%hydrogen peroxide was used to oxidize succinic anhydride to solid monoperoxysuccinic acid(PSA).Then PSA was applied to synthesis ofε-caprolactone(ε-CL)by oxidation of cyclohexanone in the heterogeneous system.In order to achieve material recycle,solid precipitated in the process of synthesizingε-CL was dehydrated via reactive distillation followed by recrystallization to prepare succinic anhydride,which was characterized by IR(infrared spectra)and1HNMR(1H nuclear magnetic resonance).Effects of molar ratio of PSA to cyclohexanone,acetic acid dosage,reaction temperature,reaction time on conversion of cyclohexanone,yield and selectivity ofε-CL were investigated respectively.The results indicated that conversion of cyclohexanone,yield and selectivity ofε-CL were upto 98.1%,97.5%and 99.4%respectively under the optimal conditions.In addition,in the process of synthesizing succinic anhydride,the optimal yield of succinic anhydride reached 67.4%.

EPITAXIAL CRYSTALLIZATION OF POLY(ε-CAPROLACTONE)ON HIGHLY ORIENTED ISOTACTIC POLYPROPYLENE

Electron microscope and electron diffraction have been used to study epitaxial crystallization of poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL).on highly oriented film of isotactic polypropylene(iPP).The results obtained from bright field(BF)electron micrograph and electron diffraction indicate that the PCL can epitaxially grow on iPP substrate and form cross-hatched lamellar texture.The c axes of PCL are ±500 apart from the c axes of iPP. The contact planes of the two kinds of crystals are(010)of iPP and(100) of PCL,respectively.

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF INCLUSION COMPLEXES OF TWO-ARM LINEAR AND FOUR-ARM STAR-SHAPED POLY(ε-CAPROLACTONE)S WITHα-CYCLODEXTRIN

Both four-ann star-shaped poly（ε-caprolactone） （4sPCL） and two-ann linear PCL （2LPCL） were synthesized and their inclusion complexation with α-cyclodextrin （α-CD） were studied. The inclusion complexes （ICs） formed between the PCL polymers and α-CD were characterized by ^1H-NMR, DSC, TGA, WAXD, and FT-1R, respectively. Both branch ann number and molecular weight of the PCL polymers have apparent effect on the stoichiometry （CL：CD, mol：mol） of these ICs. All these analytical results indicate that the branch arms of the PCL polymers are incorporated into the hydrophobic α-CD cavities and their original crystalline properties are completely suppressed. Moreover, the inclusion complexation between two-ann linear or four-ann star-shaped PCL polymers and α-CD not only enhances the thermal stability of the guest PCL polymers but also improves that of α-CD.

Ring-opening Polymerization ofε-Caprolactone Using Lanthanide Tris(4-tert-butylphenolate)s as a Single-component Initiator

The ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactone (CL) initiated by novel single lanthanide tris(4-tert-butylphenolate)s [Ln(OTBP)3] is reported. Single-component La(OTBP)3 can effectively prepare polycaprolactone (PCL) with over 90% yield and viscosity average molecular weight about 60 x 10 under quite mild conditions: molar ratio of CL to initiator is 1000, 60 C, 2 h in toluene. Mechanism study indicates that the monomer inserts into the growing chain via the break of acyl-oxygen bond of CL.

RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OFε-CAPROLACTONE USING LANTHANIDE TRIS(N-PHENYL-3,5-DI-T-BUTYLSALICYLALDIMINATO)S AS SINGLE COMPONENT CATALYST

Ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone has been carried out by using rare earth Schiff base complexes： lanthanide tris（N-phenyl-3,5-di-t-butylsalicylaldiminato）s [Ln（OPBS）3] as single component catalyst for the first time. The influences of different rare earth elements, monomer and catalyst concentration as well as reaction time on the polymerization were investigated. Mechanism studies showed that monomer inserts into the active site with the acyl-oxygen bond scission rather than the break of alkyl-oxygen bond.

MONOMERIC INTERACTION BETWEEN ETHYLENE-TEREPHTHALATE AND CAPROLACTONE

The miscibility of poly(ethylene terephthalate (ET)- caprolactone (CL) (TCL)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) blends were examined by Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). In these blends, a miscibility limit specified by ET content in the TCL was found to be about 70 (wt%). In the blends of TCL/TCL with different ET contents, a miscibility window defined by ET content was also found to range from 82 to 58 (wt%). Based on the experimental miscibility limits and the mean field binary interaction model, the interaction parameter between monomeric units of ET and CL was obtained.

Structure Changes of Silk Fibroin(SF) by Blending with Poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL):Characterization of SF and PCL Blended Electrospinning Films

The mechanical properties and water solubility of electrospinning SF films limit their use as biomaterials. In order to develop a tissue engineering biomaterial with both satisfying biological properties and sufficient biomechanical properties,blended films composed of silk fibroin( SF) and poly( ε-caprolactone)( PCL) were fabricated by electrospinning in this study. Scanning electron microscope( SEM), X-ray diffraction( XRD),thermal analysis,Fourier transform-infrared( FT-IR),Raman spectra,mechanical testing,and water solubility were used to characterize the morphological, structural and mechanical properties of the blended electrospinning films. Results showed that the diameter of the blended fiber was distributed between 600 and1000 nm,and the fiber diameter increased as the PCL content increased. There is no obvious phase separation due to the similarity and intermiscibility,as well as the interactions( mainly hydrogen bonds), between the two polymers. Meanwhile, the secondary structures of SF changed from random coils and Silk I to Silk II because of the interactions between SF and PCL. For this reason,the tensile strength and elongation at break of the electrospinning films improved significantly,and the water solubility decreased. In conclusion,the blended electrospinning films fabricated in this study showed satisfying mechanical properties and water insolubilities,and they may be promising biomaterials for applications in tissue engineering for blood vessels,nerve conduits,tendons,ligaments and other tissues.

Tetrahydrosalen backboned gadolinium complex as initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

Tetrahydrosalen ligand was employed in the synthesis of gadolinium complex. The ligand was deprotoned by LiBu, and the afforded lithium salt was reacted with anhydrous GdCl3 to produce the gadolinium complex through salt metathesis. This complex was successfully used to initiate the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. The initiation conditions in different temperature, monomer-to-initiator ratio and time were investigated. Under the condition： [ε-caprolactone]：[catalyst] = 600, 56 ℃, toluene： 2 ml, poly（ε-caprolactone） （PCL） with Mw = 11,2782 and PDI = 1.96 was achieved.

Research in the Degradation and Antifouling Performance of Copolyesters of L-Lactide and ε-Caprolactonen

Block copolyesters of L-lactide and ε-caprolactone were synthesized by melt copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and L-lactide.The degradation performance of copolyesters was investigated by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation(QCM-D).Diisocyanate terminated copolyesters could obtain via the reaction of copolyesters and diisocyanate.Diisocyanate terminated copolyesters could react with polyol resin to prepare degradable polyurethane which can be used in antifouling coatings.In this paper,we also discussed the degradation products release action and antifouling performance of the copolyesters film.

HETEROCYCLIC SCHIFF BASE NEODYMIUM COMPLEX AS CATALYST FOR RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF ε-CAPROLACTONE

An aromatic heterocyclic Schiff base neodymium complex bearing thiazole was synthesized and its activity in the ring-opening polymerization ofε-caprolactone(CL)was examined.The conditions of the CL/Nd molar ratio,monomer concentration,polymerization time and temperature were investigated.Activities of ca.171 kg/Nd·h were obtained under the optimum condition(CL/Nd=1600(molar ratio),[CL]=2.26 mol L^(-1),1 h at 50℃),giving a poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL)of number-average molecular weight M_n=5.4×10~4 and molecular...

Electrospun Chitosan( CS)/Poly( L-lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)( PLCL ) Nanofibers and Their Potential as Small-Diameter Vascular Scaffold

The ideal small-diameter vascular grafts should mimic the nanostructure and mechanical properties of nature blood vessel. In this study, electrospun chitosan( CS)/poly( L-lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)( PLCL) nanofibers were developed for potential small-diameter blood vessel applications. CS is a positively charged polymer which is beneficial for cell attachment and growth,while PLCL provides favorable mechanical support due to its excellent elasticity. Typical nanofibrous structure was observed in both CS/PLCL and pure PLCL scaffolds. The optimal mechanical property could be achieved when the weight ratio of CS/PLCL was 1 ∶ 2.Compared with pure PLCL scaffolds, the CS/PLCL scaffolds showed higher hydrophilicity and markedly promoted the attachment,spreading and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells( HUVECs). Hence,CS/PLCL scaffolds can be used as potential vascular grafts.

Novel electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/type Ⅰ collagen nanofiber conduits for repair of peripheral nerve injury

Recent studies have shown the potential of artificially synthesized conduits in the repair of peripheral nerve injury.Natural biopolymers have received much attention because of their biocompatibility.To investigate the effects of novel electrospun absorbable poly(ε-caprolactone)/type I collagen nanofiber conduits(biopolymer nanofiber conduits)on the repair of peripheral nerve injury,we bridged 10-mm-long sciatic nerve defects with electrospun absorbable biopolymer nanofiber conduits,poly(ε-caprolactone)or silicone conduits in Sprague-Dawley rats.Rat neurologica1 function was weekly evaluated using sciatic function index within 8 weeks after repair.Eight weeks after repair,sciatic nerve myelin sheaths and axon morphology were observed by osmium tetroxide staining,hematoxylin-eosin staining,and transmission electron microscopy.S-100(Schwann cell marker)and CD4(inflammatory marker)immunoreactivities in sciatic nerve were detected by immunohistochemistry.In rats subjected to repair with electrospun absorbable biopolymer nanofiber conduits,no serious inflammatory reactions were observed in rat hind limbs,the morphology of myelin sheaths in the injured sciatic nerve was close to normal.CD4 immunoreactivity was obviously weaker in rats subjected to repair with electrospun absorbable biopolymer nanofiber conduits than in those subjected to repair with poly(ε-caprolactone)or silicone.Rats subjected to repair with electrospun absorbable biopolymer nanofiber conduits tended to have greater sciatic nerve function recovery than those receiving poly(ε-caprolactone)or silicone repair.These results suggest that electrospun absorbable poly(ε-caprolactone)/type I collagen nanofiber conduits have the potential of repairing sciatic nerve defects and exhibit good biocompatibility.All experimental procedures were approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Taichung Veteran General Hospital,Taiwan,China(La-1031218)on October 2,2014.

Electrospun Small Diameter Tubes to Mimic Mechanical Properties of Native Blood Vessels Using Poly (L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone )and Silk Fibroin: a Preliminary Study

Mismatch in mechanical properties can induce intimal hyperplasia,which is one of the main reasons for the failure of small diameter artificial blood vessels. Electrospun small diameter tubes with tailored mechanical properties were fabricated through blending poly( L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone)( PLCL) and silk fibroin( SF)with the mass ratios of 30 /70,50 /50,and 70 /30 in this study.Scanning electron microscopy( SEM) and mechanical testing were used to characterize morphological and mechanical properties of the tubes. Results showed that tensile strength of the tubes was higher than most of the native blood vessels,and elongations at break of them were improved greatly by blending PLCL. Compliances of the tubes were all higher than 1% /13. 33 kPa( 1% /100 mmHg).Particularly,tubes with blending mass ratio of 50 /50 showed similar compliance with human native femoral arteries,which provided a promising biomaterial that could be applied on small diameter vascular applications.

Study on two kinds of degradation mechanisms for biomaterials poly(ε-caprolactone)

The in vitro and in vivo degradation behaviour of poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) has been examined in terms of degree of degradation and morphological change during an inclibation period of up to 300 d. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to character ize their degradation profiles. The observation of the changes in intrinsic viscosity and average molecular weight as well as the crystallinity of PCL leads to the findings that 2 degradation mechanisms of PCL exist. The subcutaneous implant test shows that the rate of degradation in the rabbit body is much higher than in vitro. This illustrated that in vivo, the mechanism of bioerosion is more important than hydrolytic cleavage of ester linkage, especially in the second stage of degradation. Regardless of the initial Mn of specimens, a lin ear relationship between Mn and degradation time has been observed until the Mn decreased to be about 5 ooo D. Above this figure, the main degradation mechanism was hydrolytic cleavage of ester group accompa nied by enzymatic surface erosion, below this point, the bioerosion with weight loss plays a more significant role than hydrolytic reaction in their degradation. Comparison between the morphology of PCL materials af ter and before erosion was made by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

MOLECULAR WEIGHT DEPENDENCE OF THE MELTING BEHAVIOR OF POLY(ε-CAPROLACTONE)

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with different molecular weights was synthesized and characterized by a gelpermeation chromatograph equipped with multiple detector. The melting behavior of PCL was also studied. It was found thatthe equilibrium melting points (T_m^0) of PCL samples depend on their molecular weights. Wide angle X-ray diffractionmeasurements (WAXD) and DSC measurements showed that the crystals of the high molecular weight PCLs were moreperfect than those of the low molecular weigh ones. These results demonstrate that the concentration of the end groups ofPCL chains is the main factor that influences the melting behavior. The fusion enthalpy per repeating unit (ΔH_u) wasdetermined to be 11.3 kJ/mol for PCL.

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) Copolymers

A series of random and block poly（ L-lactide-co-e-caprolactone ） （ PCLA ） copolymers whh different composition are prepared using stannous octaoate as catalyst.The effects of the amount of initiator on the intrinsic viscosity have been investigated. The structure of the PCLA copolymers is characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance（ NMR ）, Fourier transform infrared spectrum （ FTIR ）, differential scanning calorimetry （ DSC ） and X- ray diffraction （ XRD ） methods. It is shown that the synthesis condition and the composition of copolymers obrious influence on the structure of PCLA copolymers. Hydrolytic degradation of the copolymers in a PBS solution of pH 7.4 at 37.0℃ shows that the copolymers of different composhions degrade at different rates.

In situ generated,tetrahydrosalen stabilized yttrium borohydride complex:Efficient initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

In this paper, we report the preparation of a new tertrahydrosalen-stabilized yttrium complex which was employed as an initiator-precursor for the polymerization of ε-caprolactone （ε-CL） in the presence of NaBH4 to give interesting hydroxytelechelic poly（ε-caprolactone） （PCL）. The effect of [monomer]/[initiator] （[CL]/[I]）, temperature and time on the polymerization was investigated. It was found that under the condition： [CL]/[I] = 1200, 55℃, toluene： 0.5 mL, ε-CL： 0.5 mL, PCL with Mw = 32,600 and PDI = 1.47 was obtained.