Oligo-3-hydroxybutyrate functionalised pyrroles for preparation of biodegradable conductive polymers.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a novel polypyrrole material grafted with biodegradable oligo-3-hydroxybutyrate pendants. The polymer was prepared in a two-step process. Firstly, the potassium salt 1-(2-carboxyethyl)pyrrole was reacted with β-butyrolactone affording N-substituted macromonomer. Secondly, the macromonomer was oxidatively polymerised with FeCl Lewis acid. The reaction was carried out in solvents of assorted polarity: dimethylsulphoxide, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide and water. Obtained polymers have been characterised comprehensively using a suite of spectral techniques. The material was found to combine the well-known merits of 3-hydroxybutyrate polymers with the electrical conductivity imparted by polypyrrole units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]