A convenient method to prepare random LA/CL copolymers from poly(L-lactide) and ε-caprolactone

Sequential addition of L-lactide(LA) followed by ε-caprolactone(CL), and simultaneous addition of both monomers, afforded random LA/CL copolymers in the presence of lanthanide aryloxides under mild conditions. Transesterification was proved to play a predominant role in random copolymer formation. Moreover, treatment of poly(L-lactide) with ε-CL led to random copolymer formation, which provides a new strategy not only to prepare random LA/CL copolymers, but also to directly modify PLLA.