Lactic Acid O-carboxyanhydride on:
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Lactic acid ''O''-carboxyanhydride (lac-OCA) is an organic compound. It is used as a monomer equivalent to 
This compound is prepared by treatment of lactic acid or its salts with
lactic acid
Lactic acid is an organic acid. It has a molecular formula . It is white in the solid state and it is miscible with water. When in the dissolved state, it forms a colorless solution. Production includes both artificial synthesis as well as natu ...
or lactide
Lactide is the lactone cyclic ester derived by multiple esterification between two (usually) or more molecules from lactic acid (2-hydroxypropionic acid) or other hydroxy carboxylic acid. They are designated as dilactides, trilactides, etc., accor ...
in the preparation of poly(lactic acid). When this monomer undergoes ring-opening polymerization
In polymer chemistry, ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a form of chain-growth polymerization, in which the terminus of a polymer chain attacks cyclic monomers to form a longer polymer (see figure). The reactive center can be radical, anion ...
, one equivalent of carbon dioxide gas is released for every lactic acid unit incorporated into the polymer:
:
This compound is prepared by treatment of lactic acid or its salts with phosgene
Phosgene is the organic chemical compound with the formula COCl2. It is a toxic, colorless gas; in low concentrations, its musty odor resembles that of freshly cut hay or grass. Phosgene is a valued and important industrial building block, espe ...
or one of its equivalents, e.g. diphosgene
Diphosgene is an organic chemical compound with the formula ClCO2CCl3. This colorless liquid is a valuable reagent in the synthesis of organic compounds. Diphosgene is related to phosgene and has comparable toxicity, but is more conveniently handl ...
.
References
{{reflist Carbonate esters Monomers