Ring-Opening Polymerization of Caprolactone Using Organocatalysts for Biodegradable Polymer Synthesis

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers synthesized from renewable and environmentally compatible processes have gained considerable attention for applications in biomedical materials, packaging, and sustainable plastics manufacturing. The present study investigates the ring-opening polymerization of caprolactone using organocatalysts for the synthesis of biodegradable polycaprolactone under controlled reaction conditions. The research focuses on evaluating polymerization kinetics, catalyst activity, molecular weight control, and polymer structural characteristics associated with organocatalytic systems. Experimental analysis was conducted to examine the influence of catalyst type, monomer-to-catalyst ratio, reaction temperature, reaction time, and solvent conditions on caprolactone conversion and polymer formation behavior. Results demonstrate that organocatalysts effectively promote ring-opening polymerization through controlled activation of the caprolactone monomer, resulting in high polymerization efficiency and formation of biodegradable polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution. The study further reveals that optimized reaction conditions significantly improve polymer yield, molecular weight control, and polymer chain uniformity while minimizing undesirable side reactions and catalyst residue contamination. Organocatalytic systems exhibited favorable selectivity and operational simplicity under mild reaction conditions, contributing to enhanced process sustainability and reduced environmental impact compared with conventional metal-based catalysts. Comparative assessment with traditional catalytic polymerization methods confirms the advantages of organocatalysts, including lower toxicity, improved biocompatibility, and suitability for biomedical and environmentally sensitive applications.