Synthesis and Characterization of Polyurethanes Based on Oligo(ε-caprolactone) Prepared by Free-Metal Method.

The oligoester diols were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone in the presence of creatinine and diethylene glycol or 1,4-butanediol as initiator systems. Thus, obtained oligomers were successfully used in the synthesis of segmented polyurethanes. The oligoester diols (poly(ε-caprolactone) and dihydroxy(polyethylene adipate)) were reacted with 4,4'-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) in the presence of 1,4-butanediol as the chain extender to obtain polyurethanes. The physical and mechanical properties of polyurethanes were determined. The structures of the oligoesters and polyurethanes were elucidated by means of NMR, IR and MALDI-TOF MS studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]