Analysis on Influencing Factors of Lactide Synthesis Process

Lactide is a major raw material for the synthesis of polylactic acid.The cost and quality of the polylactic acid are affected by the yield and purity of lactide.The market profile of polylactic acid was introduced and the influencing factors of a two-step process for the synthesis of lactide were focused on.The influences of reaction temperature,pressure and catalysts on the polycondensation and depolymerization of lactic acid were discussed.The methods for purifying crude lactide were elaborated.It was presented that the keys for the development of the lactide synthesis technology were the efficient chiral catalysts,high-yield purification technology and continuous production.