A synergic catalysis of (salicylaldiminate)2AlEt and (BnO)2AlEt in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

Abstract

The solid-state structure of L2AlEt is reported by X-ray diffraction. BnOH (1 equiv. to L2AlEt) selectively reacts with ~0.5 equiv. of L2AlEt to afford free L–H (~1 equiv.) while maintaining L2AlEt (~0.5 equiv.). The stoichiometric balance suggests the formation of 0.5 equiv. of (BnO)2AlEt. The ROP of CL via the synergic catalysis of the two coexistent Al-complexes, L2AlEt (0.50 mol%) as a Lewis acid activator of CL and (RO)2AlEt (0.50 mol%) as a nucleophile, is proposed.