Activity For Ring-opening Polymerization Research Articles

Hybrid anionic block copolymerization: From organocatalysis‐streamlined crossover to internally microphase‐separated aggregates

AbstractPolyolefin‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) represents the most widely investigated amphiphilic block copolymers. So far, one‐pot continuous synthesis of such hybrid block copolymers has only been fulfilled by anionic polymerization through sequential addition of vinyl monomers and ethylene oxide (EO). It still remains challenging to achieve altogether high block efficiency, high polymerization efficiency, and high molar mass for PEO. Here, we report a one‐pot hybrid block copolymerization approach to polyisoprene/polystyrene(PI/PS)‐b‐PEO, in which PI/PS are formed by sBuLi‐initiated anionic vinyl‐addition polymerization, then in situ employed as macroinitiators for the anionic ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of EO aided by an organic Lewis pair. The cooperative (dual‐ion‐complexing) catalytic effect of organobase and triethylborane is proven, for the first time, effective for lithium alkoxide initiator system, allowing to achieve at room temperature high ROP activity (complete EO conversion and PEO of 3–64 kg/mol reached in 1–6 h), narrow molar mass distribution, controlled block lengths and composition. Density functional theory calculation shows that phosphazene bases are particularly effective, compared with N‐heterocyclic bases, for complexing with Li+ and enhancing the nucleophilicity of oxyanion. The rate of ROP is also affected by Li+‐induced aggregation of the chain‐end ion pairs, which though can be offset by adequate catalyst loadings. The versatility of this approach is further demonstrated in the one‐pot synthesis of tri‐/tetrablock ter‐/quaterpolymers constituted by PI, PS, PEO, and poly(propylene oxide). Of great interest, PS‐b‐PI‐b‐PEO triblock terpolymer with a specific composition is found to form internally microphase‐separated micellar aggregates when dispersed in water.

Tunable zinc benzamidinate complexes: coordination modes and catalytic activity in the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide.

Seven asymmetric zinc benzamidinate complexes featuring or lacking side-arm functionalities were synthesized. Using equimolar zinc reagent produced distinct dinuclear motifs [(C6H5-C = NC6H5)ZnEt]2 (R = tBu, 1; (CH2)2OMe, 2; (CH2)2NMe2, 3). Half the zinc reagent yielded dinuclear [(C6H5-C = NC6H5)2Zn]2 (R = tBu, 4) or mononuclear zinc bis(chelate) complexes (R = (CH2)2OMe, 5; (CH2)2NMe2, 6; CH2Py, 7). Molecular structures of 1-4 and 7 were determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Altering benzamidinate substituents modifies both coordination modes and catalytic activities in ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide. Specifically, complex 7 exhibits enhanced catalytic activity at 25 °C using 100 equivalents of L-lactide with a turnover frequency of 1820 h-1.

Synthesis and catalytic activity of single-site group V alkoxide complexes for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.

The synthesis, characterization, and ring-opening polymerization (ROP) activity of a family of niobium and tantalum alkoxide catalysts was studied. The final catalysts are made in a two-step synthesis, first by reacting the desired homoleptic metal ethoxide with a phenolketoimine ligand to form a series of synthetic intermediates, followed by reaction with catechol to produce a catalytic platform with a single ethoxide initiator. By using two separate ligands, the electronic properties of the catalyst can be tuned, and the molecular weight of the polymer can be increased. It was found that synthetic intermediates adopted a mer geometry both in solution and in the solid state. This mer geometry was retained for the final catechol derivatives, however in one case, where catechol was substituted for 3-methoxycatechol, the molecule adopted a highly distorted fac geometry. Catalytic ROP activity of the synthetic intermediates and final catechol derivatives with ε-caprolactone was studied through a kinetic analysis. In all seven cases studied the reactions proceeded through the expected coordination-insertion mechanism, following pseudo first-order kinetics and increasing in Mn linearly vs. conversion. The single-initiator catechol derivatives increased the Mn by three times compared to that of the three-initiator synthetic intermediates with little decrease in the overall reaction rate. Both the nature of the ligand and metal were found to impact the rate of reaction in these systems. By switching from an electron donating ligand to an electron withdrawing ligand, the rate was found to nearly double. Tantalum species were faster than their niobium counterparts by ∼3 times in the synthetic intermediates and ∼1.5 times in the catechol derivatives. This observed periodicity supports recent literature findings in this area.

A soluble Salen-DOPO flame retardant for efficiently improving PBAT/PLLA film

Organic catalyst ligand Salen exhibits sound catalytic activity in ring-opening polymerization, but few flame retardations involve it. In the work, the Salen was synthesized and coupled with 9, 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphate-10-oxide (DOPO) to make a SD flame retardant that could dissolve in various organic solvents at room temperature. It was integrated into poly (butylene adipate phthalate)/poly(L-lactic acid) (PBAT/PLLA) film by solution casting. When the mass ratio of SD to polymers was 15 wt%, the composite film showed the ability to form carbon, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) was 27.5 %, and the UL-94 test reached the V-0 rating. The total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSP) decreased to 26.58 MJ/m2 and 7.57 m2, respectively. The multidimensional and biphasic action contributed to excellent suppression of flume and flame retardations. The tensile strength and elongation at the break increased to 26.95 MPa and 248.64 %, which were higher than those of PBAT/PLLA. SD also enhanced the hydrophobicity of PBAT/PLLA. The interesting work would open up a new scene for the flame retardation sciences and the development of biodegradable polymers.

Understanding catalytic synergy in dinuclear polymerization catalysts for sustainable polymers

Understanding the chemistry underpinning intermetallic synergy and the discovery of generally applicable structure-performances relationships are major challenges in catalysis. Additionally, high-performance catalysts using earth-abundant, non-toxic and inexpensive elements must be prioritised. Here, a series of heterodinuclear catalysts of the form Co(III)M(I/II), where M(I/II) = Na(I), K(I), Ca(II), Sr(II), Ba(II) are evaluated for three different polymerizations, by assessment of rate constants, turn over frequencies, polymer selectivity and control. This allows for comparisons of performances both within and between catalysts containing Group I and II metals for CO2/propene oxide ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP), propene oxide/phthalic anhydride ROCOP and lactide ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The data reveal new structure-performance correlations that apply across all the different polymerizations: catalysts featuring s-block metals of lower Lewis acidity show higher rates and selectivity. The epoxide/heterocumulene ROCOPs both show exponential activity increases (vs. Lewis acidity, measured by the pKa of [M(OH2)m]n+), whilst the lactide ROP activity and CO2/epoxide selectivity show linear increases. Such clear structure-activity/selectivity correlations are very unusual, yet are fully rationalised by the polymerization mechanisms and the chemistry of the catalytic intermediates. The general applicability across three different polymerizations is significant for future exploitation of catalytic synergy and provides a framework to improve other catalysts.

Aluminum Salen Complexes Modified with Unsaturated Alcohol: Synthesis, Characterization, and Their Activity towards Ring-Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone and D,L-Lactide.

A highly efficient one-step approach to the macromonomer synthesis using modified aluminum complexes as catalysts of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone and D,L-lactide was developed. The syntheses, structures, and catalytic activities of a wide range of aluminum salen complexes, 3a-c, functionalized with unsaturated alcohol (HO(CH2)4OCH=CH2) are reported. X-Ray diffraction studies revealed a tetragonal pyramidal structure for 3c. Among the complexes 3a-c, the highest activity in bulk ROP of ε-caprolactone and D,L-lactide was displayed by 3b, affording polyesters with controlled molecular weights at low monomer to initiator ratios (Mn up to 15,000 g mol-1), relatively high polydispersities (Ð~1.8) and high number-average functionalities (Fn up to 85%).

Rational Optimization of Bifunctional Organoboron Catalysts for Versatile Polyethers via Ring-Opening Polymerization of Epoxides

Quaternary ammonium and phosphonium borane bifunctional catalysts have shown high catalytic performance in ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epoxides to produce polyether. Herein, we systematically investigate a series of well-defined organoboron catalysts by varying the electronic and steric properties of the Lewis acidic boron (B) centers, manipulating the steric hindrance on the ammonium cation (N+), adjusting the distance between B and N+, and regulating the nucleic B number of the catalysts. The investigation on the dinuclear catalysts indicated that the reactivity of a given catalyst could be speculated by its B–N–B angle and the B···B distance. We found that the increase of Lewis acidity and the number of B centers of the organoboron catalysts are useful for a high catalytic activity for ROP of epoxides. The Lewis acidity of the B centers was determined using the acceptor numbers, showing an order of borinane (23.4) > BBN (21.7) > BCy2 (18.8) > Bpin (15.5). Moreover, we demonstrated the production of various telechelic polyols in the presence of different chain transfer agents using the organoboron catalysts. The produced telechelic samples have a well-defined terminal functionality with controllable molecular weight. Lastly, these organoboron catalysts were utilized to produce block copolymers, allyl-terminated macromonomers, and random copolymers.

Investigating the Ring-Opening Polymerization Activity of Niobium and Tantalum Ethoxides Supported by Phenoxyimine Ligands.

A variety of metal catalysts from around the periodic table have been studied for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters. Within this field, group V catalysts have been rarely explored. To better understand the effect the choice of metal and ligand has on ROP activity, a series of 10 niobium and tantalum alkoxide catalysts, supported by a range of phenoxyimine ligands, were synthesized. The electronics and steric bulk of the ligands were varied on the phenoxy group (tBu, Cl, and OMe) and the imine group (Ph; 2,6-diMePh; 2,6-diiPrPh; and 2,4,6-tritBuPh) to probe their effect on the catalyst structure and activity. Catalysts were characterized with 1D, 2D, and variable-temperature NMR techniques to determine their structure in solution. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies were conducted to establish their solid-state structure. The 10 catalysts are pseudo-octahedral, and each shows ligand coordination through phenoxy-oxygen and imine-nitrogen (O,N). In the case of the o-vanillin ligand set, however, evidence was found for O,O-coordination of the ligand when the steric encumbrance of the imine-nitrogen was increased. Each catalyst was active for the ring-opening polymerization of both rac-lactide (LA) and ε-caprolactone (CL) in the absence of solvent at 140 °C. In the case of CL, the catalysts supported by chloro-containing ligands showed the most polymerization control based on final polymer molecular weight and dispersity. Ligand trends were less clear for the polymerization of LA, though in all cases the catalysts were more controlled than the parent homoleptic alkoxide [M(OEt)5; M = Nb or Ta]. The most promising catalyst in the family was tested for copolymerization activity of LA and CL in one pot. Copolymerization of the two monomers was successful and yielded random poly(caprolactone-co-lactide).

Using recyclable polystyrene supported cyclic trimeric phosphazene base as catalyst to directly prepare hypotoxic polyesters via ring-opening polymerizations

A new polystyrene supported cyclic trimeric phosphazene base (PS-CTPB) was designed and synthesized. It was demonstrated that hypotoxic poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) can be directly prepared via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) by using PS-CTPB as catalyst. The PS-CTPB catalyst was prepared via immobilization of cyclic trimeric phosphazene base (CTPB) moiety on polystyrene microspheres to obtain a heterogeneous organocatalyst. The composition and chemical structure of the heterogeneous PS-CTPB was systematically characterized using solid-state 13C and 31P MAS NMR, FTIR, SEM and element analysis. It was found that immobilization of CTPB on PS microsphere maintained its excellent catalytic activity for ROP of ε-CL, δ-valerolactone (δ-VL), rac-lactide (rac-LA). Moreover, the heterogeneous PS-CTPB could be easily separated or recycled via simple filtration. Given that, the obtained polyesters contained negligible catalyst residual, so the obtained PCL samples have low cytotoxicity indicated from MTT assay. It was worth noting that the recycled PS-CTPB catalyst could be reused for another six consecutive cycles without significant decrease of catalytic activity.

Controlled and highly effective ring‐opening polymerization of α‐chloro‐ε‐caprolactone using Zn‐ and Al‐based catalysts

AbstractThe present study details the highly effective and controlled ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of α‐chloro‐ε‐caprolactone (1, αClεCL), a cyclic ester that has been little explored thus far in ROP catalysis, using Zn‐ and Al‐based catalysts [Zn(C6F5)2(toluene)] (4), [N,N′‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsalicylidene)1,3‐diaminopropanato]aluminium(III)benzyloxide (5) and [N,N′‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsalicylidene)1,3‐diamino‐2,2′‐dimethylpropanato]aluminium(III)benzyloxide] (6). Chain‐length‐controlled PαClεCL material is produced under solution ROP conditions, as deduced from GPC, NMR, MALDI‐TOF, and kinetic data. In contrast, the ROP of 1 is ill‐defined under bulk ROP conditions due to partial thermal degradation of the polymer chain (presumably through C–Cl cleavage), reflecting the limited stability of PαClεCL. The Al Catalysts 5 and 6 are highly active ROP catalysts of αClεCL at room temperature (TOF up to 2,400 hr−1) to afford well‐defined P(αClεCL). In the case of Catalyst 6, carrying out the ROP of αClεCL under immortal conditions (with BnOH as chain transfer agent) is clearly beneficial to ROP activity and control, with no apparent side‐reaction of chloro‐functionalized PCL chains as the ROP proceeds. The controlled character of these ROPs was further exploited for the production of chain‐length‐controlled PLLA‐b‐PαClεCL diblocks through sequential ROP of l‐lactide and αClεCL, affording copolymers with improved thermal and biodegradable properties.

The role of neutral donor ligands in the isoselective ring-opening polymerization of rac-β-butyrolactone.

Isoenriched poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) is a biodegradable material with properties similar to isotactic polypropylene, yet efficient routes to this material are lacking after 50+ years of extensive efforts in catalyst design. In this contribution, a novel lanthanum aminobisphenolate catalyst (1-La) can access isoenriched P3HB through the stereospecific ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-β-butyrolactone (rac-BBL). Replacing the tethered donor group of a privileged supporting ligand with a non-coordinating benzyl substituent generates a catalyst whose reactivity and selectivity can be tuned with inexpensive achiral neutral donor ligands (e.g. phosphine oxides, OPR3). The 1-La/OPR3 (R = n-octyl, Ph) systems display high activity and are the most isoselective homogeneous catalysts for the ROP of rac-BBL to date (0 °C: Pm = 0.8, TOF ∼190 h−1). Combined reactivity and spectroscopic studies provide insight into the active catalyst structure and ROP mechanism. Both 1-La(TPPO)2 and a structurally related catalyst with a tethered donor group (2-Y) operate under chain-end stereocontrol; however, 2-RE favors formation of P3HB with opposite tacticity (syndioenriched) and its ROP activity and selectivity are totally unaffected by added neutral donor ligands. Our studies uncover new roles for neutral donor ligands in stereospecific ROP, including suppression of chain-scission events, and point to new opportunities for catalyst design.

Bis[μ-bis-(2,6-diiso-propyl-phen-yl) phosphato-κ2 O:O']bis-[(2,2'-bi-pyridine-κ2 N,N')lithium] toluene disolvate and its catalytic activity in ring-opening polymerization of ∊-caprolactone and l-dilactide.

The solvated centrosymmmtric title compound, [Li2(C24H34O4P)2(C10H8N2)2]·2C7H8, was formed in the reaction between {Li[(2,6-iPr2C6H3-O)2POO](MeOH)3}(MeOH) and 2,2'-bi-pyridine (bipy) in toluene. The structure has monoclinic (P21/n) symmetry at 120 K and the asymmetric unit consists of half a complex mol-ecule and one mol-ecule of toluene solvent. The diaryl phosphate ligand demonstrates a μ-κO:κO'-bridging coordination mode and the 2,2'-bi-pyridine ligand is chelating to the Li+ cation, generating a distorted tetra-hedral LiN2O2 coordination polyhedron. The complex exhibits a unique dimeric Li2O4P2 core. One isopropyl group is disordered over two orientations in a 0.621 (4):0.379 (4) ratio. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π inter-actions help to consolidate the packing. Catalytic systems based on the title complex and on the closely related complex {Li[(2,6-iPr2C6H3-O)2POO](MeOH)3}(MeOH) display activity in the ring-opening polymerization of ∊-caprolactone and l-dilactide.

Lanthanide bis(borohydride) complexes coordinated by tetradentate phenoxide ligand: Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity in ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide and ε-caprolactone

New lanthanide bis(borohydride) complexes coordinated by monoanionic tetradentate phenoxide ligand [(C5H4NCH2)2NCH2(3,5-tBu2C6H2O)]Ln(BH4)2 [Ln = Y (1), Nd (2), Sm (3)] were synthesized by the reactions of Ln(BH4)3(THF)3 with an equimolar amount of the lithium phenoxide [(C5H4NCH2)2NCH2(3,5-tBu2C6H2O)Li] in THF at 60 °C. The complexes were isolated after recrystallization from toluene in 75, 64, and 69% yields, respectively. X-ray analysis revealed that in 1 the phenoxide ligand is tetradentate, while two borohydride groups are coordinated to the Y3+ ion in a κ3-fashion. Compounds 1–3 initiate ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ɛ-caprolactone (ɛ-CL) and racemic lactide (rac-LA) in toluene at 25 °C. The obtained polylactides are characterized by atactic structures Pr = 0.54–0.58, and rather narrow polydispersities (Mw/Mn = 1.1–1.5). For ɛ-caprolactone polymerization, the resulting polymers have moderate polydispersities (Mw/Mn = 1.4–2.4) and molecular weights (6.2–54.1·103).

Phenoxyimine Ligands Bearing Nitrogen-Containing Second Coordination Spheres for Zinc Catalyzed Stereoselective Ring-Opening Polymerization of rac-Lactide

A series of zinc (Zn1–Zn6) and aluminum (Al6) complexes supported by phenoxyimine ligands (L1–L6) bearing nitrogen-containing second coordination spheres were synthesized and investigated for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide (rac-LA). The ligands L1–L4 and L6 bearing sterically opened nitrogen donors resulted in dynamic NNO-chelates associated with facile nitrogen–metal coordination interactions. The bulky ligand L5 resulted in L2Zn-type complex Zn5 by disproportionation. The zinc complexes exhibited catalytic activities in ROP of cyclic monomers, including rac-LA, e-caprolactone (CL), δ-valerolactone (VL), and trimethylene carbonate (TMC). The zinc complex Zn6 bearing a bulky triphenylsilyl substituent at the 3-position of the phenoxy moiety exhibited good stereochemical control during the ROP of rac-LA to produce highly heterotactic PLAs at ambient temperature (Pr = 0.90) as well as low temperature (−30 °C, Pr = 0.94) with narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn < 1.2). The aluminum...

Chiral Mono(borohydride) Complexes of Scandium and Lutetium and Their Catalytic Activity in Ring-Opening Polymerization of dl-Lactide

The enantiopure mono(borohydride) rare-earth complexes [Ln{(S)-PETA)}2(BH4)] (Ln = Sc (1), Lu (2); PETA = N,N′-bis((S)-1-phenylethyl)-tert-butylamidinate) are reported. The synthesis was achieved by salt metathesis reactions of the homoleoptic tris(borohydrides) [Ln(BH4)3(thf)n] and (S)-LiPETA. Complexes 1 and 2 were fully characterized, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated as initiators for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of racemic lactide. Both 1 and 2 were found to be active in the ROP of dl-lactide. Polymerizations carried out in toluene show a higher activity for 2 but a lower selectivity in comparison to the scandium derivative.

Organic Ring-Opening Polymerization Catalysts: Reactivity Control by Balancing Acidity

Organocatalysts derived from thioureas and amines exhibit high functional group tolerance and extraordinary selectivities for ring-opening relative to chain transesterification. The modest activities of the thiourea/amine catalysts prompted a detailed investigation of ureas and thiourea with organic bases for the ring-opening polymerization of lactones. An array of ureas or thioureas and organic bases were evaluated to assess the effect of the acidity of the urea (thiourea) and the basicity of the base cocatalyst on the activity for ring-opening polymerization. These studies reveal that for a given urea or thiourea stronger bases lead to faster rates. For a given base, the observed catalytic activity is highest when the acidity of the (thio)urea is closely matched with that of the B–H+. For ureas and thioureas of comparable acidity, the urea/base catalyst systems are considerably more active than the corresponding thiourea/base systems. These results are consistent with two mechanisms: one mediated by dep...

Synthesis of antithrombotic poly(carbonate-urethane)s through a sequential process of ring-opening polymerization and polyaddition facilitated by organocatalysts

We have first confirmed that an organic acid, diphenyl phosphate (DPP) is effective in a sequential process of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of a cyclic carbonate and polyaddition with a diisocyanate. More potent triflic acid (TfOH) exhibited higher catalytic activities for both ROP and polyaddition than DPP and pairs of thiourea and basic catalysts such as cyclic amidines and sparteine. However, DPP-catalyzed ROP was more manageable than that using TfOH regarding control over the molar-mass dispersity of the resultant polycarbonates that matters to the final polyurethanes. As a consequence of DPP-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of poly(carbonate-urethane)s, we have obtained segmented polyurethanes comprising a poly(trimethylene carbonate) analog with ether side chains as a soft segment and hexamethylene diisocyanate as a hard segment. Although the whole reaction took a few days, high molecular weight over 50k was achieved for the resultant polyurethanes whose texture suggested improved physical properties. Nevertheless, the polyuretahnes maintained low platelet adhesion properties. This antithrombotic polyurethane became more promising as a candidate base material for resorbable artificial blood vessels. Furthermore, this sequential synthesis by single organocatalysts enables the efficient production of functionalized poly(carbonate-urethane)s.

Bifunctional Squaramides as Organocatalysts for Lactide Polymerization: Catalytic Performance and Comparison with Monofunctional Analogues

AbstractAmine‐functionalized squaramides 1 and 2 were prepared and shown to be suitable polymerization organocatalysts for the controlled ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of l‐lactide (l‐LA) in the presence of an alcohol source such as BnOH (which acts as an initiator) to afford chain‐length‐controlled and narrow‐dispersion poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) under mild reaction conditions. The ROP experimental and polymer analysis data are consistent with the action of 1 and 2 as bifunctional hydrogen‐bonding (HB) catalysts that are able to activate both the lactide monomer and initiator BnOH thanks to their dual HB acceptor and donor properties. As a comparison, aminosquaramide 3, a direct analogue of 1 but a weaker HB donor because of the absence of electron‐withdrawing NH substituents, displays little lactide ROP activity, which highlights the key role of monomer activation through HB in the present systems. Unlike aminosquaramides 1 and 2, related monofunctional squaramides 4 and 5 are inactive in l‐LA ROP in the presence of BnOH, but the addition of NEt3, as an external HB acceptor, allows the ROP to proceed with the production of well‐defined PLLA. A cooperative dual activation with an activated monomer/activated chain‐end mechanism is most likely operative in the lactide ROP mediated by 1 and 2 in the presence of BnOH.

Exploration of tertiary aminosquaramide bifunctional organocatalyst in controlled/living ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide

A series of tertiary aminosquaramides as bifunctional organocatalysts in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide (l-LA) were developed, allowing the activation of both the l-LA monomer and the alcohol group of the initiator/propagating species. Further, the impact of tertiary nitrogen substituents on catalytic activity in ROP of l-LA was explored. The tertiary aminosquaramide— an air-stable and moisture-stable catalyst—exhibited superior activity in contest with thiourea counterpart when both were equipped with a similar tertiary amine group. Kinetic and chain-extension experiments indicated that the formed poly(l-LA) is featured with narrow polydispersity and high end-group fidelity, hallmarks of a living polymerization process. The initiator efficiency was further executed at ease by preparation of an ABA triblock copolymer poly (l-LA)-b-poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly (l-LA) in the presence of a dual-headed PEG macroinitiator. 1H NMR titration experiments suggested a bifunctional catalytic mechanism, wherein both the l-LA monomer and the propagating hydroxyl group were activated en route to polymerization. The 1H NMR, SEC, and MALDI-TOF MS measurements validated the quantitative incorporation of the initiator in the polymeric chains and enchainment over competitive trans-esterification reaction. Overall, the structure-activity relationships were surveyed to uncover aminosquaramide as a new bifunctional dual hydrogen-bond donor catalyst for living ROP of l-LA. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017

Synthesis, characterisation and X-ray structure of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes bearing N,N-dimethylethylenamine-camphorylimine ligands: Application in the polymerisation of rac-lactide

We have synthesised the novel Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes (CDM)CuCl2 and (CDM)ZnCl2, where CDM is (E)-N1,N1-dimethyl-N2-(1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ylidene)ethane-1,2-diamine. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the geometry around the Zn(II) centre can be best described as a distorted tetrahedron. In the Cu(II) complex, the bulk of camphor ligand suppresses the square planar geometry; the complex thus has a highly distorted square planar and distorted tetrahedral geometry. Alkoxy derivatives generated in situ proved to be highly efficient catalysts for the ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of rac-lactide (rac-LA), yielding polylactide (PLA) with narrow polydispersity indexes (PDIs). (CDM)Cu(OCHMe2)2 exhibited a high activity for stereoselective ROP of rac-LA, with complete conversion within 2min, producing heterotactic-enriched PLA (Pr=0.85).