MACROMOLECULAR-SYNTHESIS FROM SACCHARIC LACTONES - RING-OPENING POLYADDITION OF D-GLUCARO-1,4/6,3-DILACTONES AND D-MANNARO-1,4/6,3-DILACTONES WITH ALKYLENEDIAMINES

Ring-opening polyaddition of a saccharic acid dilactone prepared from D-glucose, D-glucaro-1,4:6,3-dilactone, with several alkylenediamines proceeded at room temperature with no catalyst. The resulting new polyamides carrying many pendant hydroxyl groups, poly(alkylene D-glucaramide)s, were more amorphous and hydrophilic than the corresponding nylons having no hydroxyl groups, and were hydrolyzed more easily than the latter in an acidic condition. The ring-opening ability of D-mannaro-1,4:6,3-dilactone, which was another saccharic acid dilactone obtained from D-mannitol, was found to be lower than that of the D-glucaric analogue. (C) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.