Systematic approach in enhancing the selectivity of titanium tetrabutoxide towards high molecular weight poly(butylene succinate) synthesis

Abstract

AbstractChemo‐selectivity of titanium tetrabutoxide towards trans‐esterification reaction during polycondensation step in poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) synthesis has been improved by activating the free terminal carboxylic acids in PBS oligomer using trialkyl borates. It is anticipated that the addition of trialkyl borates converts the free terminal carboxylic acid groups in PBS oligoner into a highly reactive acyloxy boron intermediate, which in turn enhances the selectivity of titanium tetrabutoxide towards trans‐esterification reaction to give the corresponding relatively high molecular weight PBS.