Methods of synthesis of polysuccinimide, copolymers of polysuccinimide and derivatives thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are methods of synthesis of polysuccinimide, copolymers and derivatives thereof: also disclosed are methods of forming derivatives by ring-opening initiation reactions.

1 . A method for preparing a polysuccinimide derivative, which comprises, subjecting the polysuccinimide to a ring-opening reaction.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polysuccinimide is formed by polymerization of L-aspartic acid in a supercritical fluid.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ring-opening reaction is carried out in a supercritical fluid.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ring-opening reaction is carried out subsequently to the formation of polysuccinimide in a supercritical fluid.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ring-opening reaction is carried out in water.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ring-opening reaction is carried out in the presence of an amine.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising water as a cosolvent.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said amine is a combination of amines.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said combination of amines is comprised of ammonium hydroxide and 2-aminoethanol to form a resin.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said resin contains a free carboxylic acid salt and the amides of ammonia and aminoethanol.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said amine has the general formula: R 1 R 2 R 3 N; where R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are the same or different radicals selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, a substituted alkyl, an alkenyl, an aryl, an aryl-alkyl, and a substituted aryl radical.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said alkyl is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, n-amyl, isoamyl, t-amyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, capril, n-decyl, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, and stearyl.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said substituted alkyl is hydroxyethyl.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said alkenyl is allyl.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said aryl is phenyl.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said aryl-alkyl is benzyl.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said substituted aryl radical is selected from the group consisting of alkylphenyl, chlorophenyl and nitrophenyl.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said amine is triethanol amine.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said amine is selected from the group consisting of aminopyrdine, imidazole and a polyamine.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said polyamine is selected from the group consisting of a gelatin, chitin, lysine, ornithine and melamine.