Method for preparing poly-p-dioxanone polymer

摘要

Poly-p-dioxanone is prepared in a process comprising: (a) heating a reaction mixture comprising p-dioxanone and an effective amount of a polymerization catalyst under conditions of temperature and pressure effective to produce a reaction product mixture comprising molten poly-p-dioxanone and unreacted p-dioxanone; (b) adding to said reaction product mixture a cyclic anhydride under conditions effective for reaction of the poly-p-dioxanone with the cyclic anhydride to form an end-capped poly-p-dioxanone; (c) exposing the reaction product mixture to a temperature within the range of about 50 to about 150 DEG C. under reduced pressure and removing unreacted p-dioxanone from the reaction product mixture; and (d) recovering the end-capped poly-p-dioxanone. The invention process permits the economical production of high molecular weight poly-p-dioxanone in the melt.