Chemoselective Ring-opening Copolymerization of CO<sub>2</sub>-based Lactones towards Functional Polyesters

Zhuo-Rui Zhang; Tian-Wen Bai; Sheng-Hao Li; Ting Shen; Jun-Jie Zeng; Kai-Hao Chen; Jun Ling; Xu-Feng Ni

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3759-6

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Chemoselective Ring-opening Copolymerization of CO₂-based Lactones towards Functional Polyesters

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-08-19

- Chemoselective Ring-opening Copolymerization of CO₂-based Lactones towards Functional Polyesters
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Pages: 1-10(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
  b.College of Biological, Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China
  c.Key Laboratory of Medical Electronics and Digital Health of Zhejiang Province, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China
- Author bio：
  
  lingjun@zju.edu.cn (J.L.)
  xufengni@zju.edu.cn (X.F.N.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3759-6
  CLC：
- Received：22 April 2026，
  
  Accepted：28 May 2026，
  
  Online First：19 August 2026，
  
  Published：2026-07
- Accepted：
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Zhang, Z. R.; Bai, T. W.; Li, S. H.; Shen, T.; Zeng, J. J.; Chen, K. H.; Ling, J.; Ni, X. F. Chemoselective ring-opening copolymerization of CO₂-based lactones towards functional polyesters. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3759-6

Zhuo-Rui Zhang, Tian-Wen Bai, Sheng-Hao Li, et al. Chemoselective Ring-opening Copolymerization of CO₂-based Lactones towards Functional Polyesters[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-10. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-026-3759-6.
Zhang, Z. R.; Bai, T. W.; Li, S. H.; Shen, T.; Zeng, J. J.; Chen, K. H.; Ling, J.; Ni, X. F. Chemoselective ring-opening copolymerization of CO₂-based lactones towards functional polyesters. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3759-6 DOI：

Zhuo-Rui Zhang, Tian-Wen Bai, Sheng-Hao Li, et al. Chemoselective Ring-opening Copolymerization of CO₂-based Lactones towards Functional Polyesters[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-10. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-026-3759-6. DOI：

摘要

Abstract

A novel synthetic method towards recyclable polyesters rich in double bonds is highly desirable yet remains a considerable challenge.

-Ethylidene-

-vinyl-

-valerolactone (EVL)

a lactone derived from CO

and butadiene

is an attractive intermediate for the production of sustainable and functional copolymers. However

its anionic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is significantly impeded by undesired conjugate addition of the tiglate groups. This study presents the chemoselective and controlled ring-opening copolymerization (ROCP) of EVL with

-(1-(alkylthio)ethyl)-

-vinyl-

-valerolactones (ATEVL)

which are derivatives of EVL and thiols

utilizing 1

7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0

]

dec-5-ene (TBD) as the catalyst. Conducted at temperatures ranging from –20 °C to 20 °C

the copolymerizations achieved 100% ROP selectivity with an initial EVL monomer content of less than 40 mol%. The resulting polyesters have number average molecular weights (

) between 3.8 and 11.0 kg/mol

low dispersities (

=1.15–1.28)

and preserve intact conjugated double bonds. The obtained copolymers can be modified by Michael addition and light-induced thio-ene click reactions to produce polyesters with various functional groups. A transparent polyester network was formed upon UV-induced crosslinking

exhibiting considerable shear strength and fluorescence properties

making it a promising candidate for use as a fluorescent photocuring adhesive. This method provides a convenient approach to achieve the chemoselective ROCP of

EVL

enabling the synthesis of linear CO

-based polyesters with numerous sites for post-polymerization modification.

关键词

Keywords

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Chemoselective Ring-opening Copolymerization of CO2-based Lactones towards Functional Polyesters

DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3759-6

摘要

Abstract

关键词

Keywords

references

Chemoselective Ring-opening Copolymerization of CO₂-based Lactones towards Functional Polyesters