Synthesis of high molecular weight polyesters via in vacuo dehydrogenation polymerization of diols

The Milstein catalyst has proven to be highly effective for the conversion of alcohols to esters, as well as alcohols and amines to amides and polyamides. We have recently found that the catalyst's range can be extended to very efficient in vacuo dehydrogenation polymerization of α,ω-diols to generate polyesters. The gaseous hydrogen byproduct that is produced is easily removed to drive the equilibrium toward product, which leads to the formation of high molecular weight polymer (M(n) up to 145,000 g mol(-1)). This optimized methodology works well to polymerize diols with a spacer of six carbons or more. Diols with fewer carbons are cyclized to lactone; the dividing point is the dehydrogenation of 1,5-pentanediol, which leads to a mixture of polyester and lactone. Reported herein is the synthesis and characterization of five aliphatic polyesters prepared via this novel dehydrogenation polymerization approach.