Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(epichlorohydrin-g-epsilon-caprolactone) Graft Copolymers by "Click" Chemistry

The synthesis of poly(epichlorohydrin-g-epsilon-caprolactone) [poly(ECH-g-CL)] graft copolymers were carried out by use of a "click" chemistry reaction to graft poly(epsilon-caprolactone) propargyl (PCL-propargyl) to poly(epichlorohydrin) azido (PECH-N-3). For this purpose, PECH-N-3 was synthesized by the reaction of poly(epichlorohydrin) and sodium azide. Then PCL-propargyl was obtained by the reaction of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) [PCL] and propargyl chloride. By reacting PECH-N-3 and PCL-propargyl, graft copolymers were obtained. The primary parameters, such as time and concentration, that influenced the reactions were assessed. The characterization of products was accomplished by using multiple instruments and methods including H-1-NMR, C-13-NMR, FT-IR, GPC, DSC, TGA, and fractional precipitation [non-solvent (petroleum ether, mL) /solvent (THF, mL)] techniques.