Abstract
The ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of e-caprolactone (CL) initiated by tributyltin alkoxides (n-Bu3SnOR), where R = methyl (Me), ethyl (Et), propyl (Pr), and butyl (Bu), was investigated using density functional theory at B3LYP level with mixed basis set. A coordination–insertion mechanism with two transition states was found for all ROP reactions: (1) starting with a coordination of CL onto Sn center led to a nucleophilic addition of the carbonyl group of CL, (2) followed by the exchange of alkoxide ligand with Sn atom and the ROP of CL was completed through classical acyl-oxygen bond cleavage. The barrier heights of all reactions with different initiators were calculated using potential energy profiles. All ROP reactions initiated with n-Bu3SnOR demonstrated exothermic reaction and the rate-determining step was the first transition state. The ROP of CL with n-Bu3SnOMe has the smallest value of barrier height compared to other reactions. Moreover, the activation energies for all ROP reactions, calculated using the transition state theory with TheRATE program, are in good agreement with available experimental data.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.