End-group analysis to characterize the ring-opening polymerization of propylene oxalate

To get insight into attributes of propylene oxalate ringopening polymerization catalyzed by Sn(Oct)₂, the polymerization was initiated by benzyl alcohol. According to ¹H NMR and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, the polymer chains were terminated by propylene glycol and benzyl residues, which amount correlated perfectly. The quantitative incorporation of the initiator into polyoxalates is the key to their functionalization and the synthesis of block-copolymers.