Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide assisted synthesis of aliphatic polyesters at room temperature

We investigated the use of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) as an activating agent in the synthesis of aliphatic polyesters. Butylhexanoate was synthesi zed in order to optimize the reaction conditions. The reactions were carrie d out in methylene chloride at room temperature. It was shown that nearly c omplete conversion is achieved if 4-(dimethylamino)pyridinium 4-toluenesulf onate (DPTS) is used as the catalyst. DPTS is a complex formed from 4-(dime thylamino)pyridine (DMAP) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). The polyesters based on 1,10-octanedicarboxylic acid and 1,4-butanediol, synthesized in t his way, had degrees of polymerization up to 67.