Synthesis of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers and its chemical characterization by NMR and FTIR

Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer is of great interest for medical applications. This interest is justified by the fact that it is bioreabsorbable, biocompatible and non-toxic, while its degradation kinetics can be modified by the copolymerization ratio of the monomers. In this study, copolymers were synthesized at 175 deg C by opening the rings of the cyclic dimers of the D,L-lactide and glycolide monomers in the presence of stannous octoate initiator and lauryl alcohol co-initiator. The efficient application of a vacuum to the reaction medium, coupled with adequate stirring, is fundamental for the success of the synthesis. The following analysis techniques were used to characterize the synthesized copolymers: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The chemical composition and the ratio of the monomers in the synthesized copolymer were determined. (author)