Ring-opening copolymerization of epoxide and dianhydride in the presence of manganese(III) asymmetrical bis-Schiff base catalysts

Abstract

Based on a series of asymmetrical bis-Schiff base H2Ln (n = 1–4) ligands with different electronic and steric effects, a series of [Mn(Ln)Cl] complexes 1–4 are obtained and shown to be effective catalysts in ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides and dianhydrides. Through the structure design, the input of electron-withdrawing bromine substituent para to the phenoxide group of the complexes is considerately beneficial to the improved activities. Moreover, steric and electronic effects of the suitable MeO substituent at the ortho orientation on the phenoxide group may both play a role in the formation of alternating ring-opening copolymers under the identical reaction conditions. In three cocatalysts tested, n-Bu4NBr is positive to monomer conversion and chain growth of polymer.