| Abstract: | The synthesis of amylose–polyester block copolymers is described. 2,3,6-Tri-0-allyl amylose was synthesized by amylose alkoxide and allyl bromide and hydrolyzed by hydronium ions to give an hydroxyl-terminated allyl amylose oligomer (HTAA). The allyl groups were isomerized with t-BuoK to yield the prop-1-enyl isomer (HTPA). The HTPA was capped with a diisocyanate. The HTPA prepolymer was reacted with hydroxy-terminated poly(ethylene-co-propylene adipate) and poly-(ethylene terephthalate) to form block terpolymers. Block terpolymer formation was demonstrated by intrinsic viscosity increases, gel permeation chromatographic results, and infrared (IR) and PMR spectroscopy. The products were depropenylated by HgCl2 to yield amylose block terpolymers. These polymers were readily degraded by α-amylase. |
