Question

Question: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has received much recent attention because the lactic acid monomer [${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{CH}\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)\mathbf{COOH}$ ] from which it is made can be obtained from carbohydrates rather than petroleum. This makes PLA a more “environmentally friendly” polyester. (A more in-depth discussion of green polymer synthesis is presented in Chapter 30.) Draw the structure of PLA.

Short answer

Answer

The structure of PLA is shown below:

Step-by-step solution

Step-by-Step Solution Step 1: Polylactic acid

Polylactic acid belongs to the biomaterials, i.e., a hydrophobic polymer. It is a biodegradable polymer.

Formation of products

The reaction is shown below:

Structure of PLA