Raman spectra of glycolic acid, l-lactic acid and d,l-lactic acid oligomers

Polymerization of glycolic acid, l- and d,l-lactic acid was followed by Raman spectroscopy in aqueous solution at different concentrations, in viscous and solid states. The Raman spectra of some oligomers obtained by progressive polycondensation of α-hydroxycarboxylic acid aqueous solutions were investigated in the 200–18 cm−1 region. Vibrational analysis revealed the characteristic peaks of ester groups that appeared in the repeat unit of the polymeric chain during the polymerization reaction, and those of the monomers which disappeared. In particular, the ν(CC) stretching vibrations occur in the 800–1000 cm−1 range, which is easily accessible because of the weak diffusion of water. Moreover, spectral monitoring of the semicrystalline sample of poly(glycolic acid) oligomers showed Raman peaks associated with the vibrations of the polymer in the amorphous and semicrystalline states.