Abstract
Glycine--caprolactone-based and -alanine--caprolactone-based polyesteramides with a strong tendency to form alternating sequences (degree of randomness=1.64 and 1.31) were synthesized by melt polycondensation of intermediate hydroxy- and ethyl ester-terminated amides. These intermediates were synthesized by the reaction of equimolar amounts of -caprolactone and glycine or L--alanine ethyl esters in mild conditions. The structure and microstructure of these polyesteramides are discussed on the basis of an in-depth nuclear magnetic resonance study. Both polyesteramides are semi-crystalline, but the glycine-based one presents the highest melting enthalpy. This polyesteramide also exhibits higher Young's modulus and stress at break than its - and -alanine counterparts. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44220.