Sn(OTf)2 catalyzed continuous flow ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

Abstract

A simple PTFE tubular microreactor based platform was developed to conduct metal-catalytic ring-opening polymerization of cyclic monomers. Sn(OTf)₂ catalyzed ε-caprolactone polymerization with benzyl alcohol as initiator was the model system for investigation. In contrast to the batch reactor, better control of reaction conditions, faster polymerizations and narrower molecular weight distributions of resultant poly(ε-caprolactone) were achieved in the continuous flow mode. The structure of the product was characterized by ¹H NMR, SEC and MALDI TOF MS. The kinetic study elucidated the living/control nature of Sn(OTf)₂ catalyzed continuous flow ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.