Catalytic-Site-Mediated Chain-End Control in the Polymerization of rac-Lactide with Copper Iminopyrrolide Complexes

Lactide polymerization using a sterically encumbered, flexible zinc complex

4-(tert-Butyl)-2-trityl-6-(di-(2-picolyl)amine)phenol, LH, was prepared from paraformaldehyde, 4-(tert-butyl)-2-tritylphenol and di-(2-picolyl)amine. Reaction with Zn(N(SiMe3)2)2 gave LZnN(SiMe3)2. The complex was shown by X-ray diffraction study, variable temperature NMR and DFT calculations to coordinate only one pyridine ligand, which allows for fast and facile complex isomerisation. LZnN(SiMe3)2 was active in rac-lactide polymerization, but in contrast to previous complexes of this type did not show any evidence for isotactic monomer enchainment via a catalytic-site mediated chain-end control mechanism. Addition of alcohol led to increased activity, but the complex was unstable in the presence of free alcohol.

Polymetallic Group 4 Complexes: Catalysts for the Ring Opening Polymerisation of rac-Lactide

Five novel air- and moisture-stable polymetallic Ti and Zr amino acid-derived amine bis(phenolate) (ABP) complexes were synthesised and fully characterised, including X-ray crystallographic studies. The reaction of the ABP proligands with Ti or Zr alkoxides has resulted in the formation of polymetallic aggregates of different nuclearity. The steric bulk on the pendant arm of the ligand was found to play a critical role in establishing the nuclearity of the aggregated complex. Sterically, less-demanding groups, such as H or Me, facilitated the formation of tetrametallic Ti clusters, bridged by carboxylate groups, while increased steric bulk (tBu) led to the formation of binuclear μ-oxo-bridged species. The isolated complexes were employed as catalysts for the ring opening polymerisation (ROP) of rac-lactide. Overall, the Ti catalysts were all active with the smaller, bimetallic Ti aggregates exhibiting relatively faster rates. A monometallic, bis(ABP) Zr complex was found to exert remarkable ROP activity, albeit with limited control over the tacticity and molecular weight distribution of the polymer. A further oxo-bridged Zr cluster was shown to display a previously unprecedented trimetallic structure and achieved a moderate rate in the ROP of rac-lactide.

A comparison of zwitterionic and anionic mechanisms in the dual-catalytic polymerization of lactide

Two different polymerization mechanisms for lactide are selectivity addressed to illuminate the respective role of organobase and Lewis acid component.

Replacing sulfonate by carboxylate: application of pyridyliminocarboxylato copper(II) complexes in rac-lactide polymerization and Chan–Evans–Lam coupling

Copper(II) complexes carrying pyridylmethyleneaminobenzoate or –propanoate ligands, LCuX, were prepared in one-pot reactions from pyridinecarboxaldehyde, aminobenzoic acid or β-alanine, and CuX2 (X = Cl, NO3, OAc, or OTf). All complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and formed either dimers, tetramers, or coordination polymers. Attempted preparation of the respective alkoxide complexes, LCu(OR), was unsuccessful, but use of LCuX/NaOMe mixtures in rac-lactide polymerization indicated under some conditions coordination–insertion polymerization via a copper alkoxide as the mechanism. The complexes performed poorly in rac-lactide polymerization, showing low activities (12 h to completion at 140 °C), low to moderate heterotacticity (Pr = 0.6–0.8), and poor polymer molecular weight control (intramolecular transesterification). They were competent catalysts for Chan–Evans–Lam couplings with phenylboronic acid, without any indication of side reactions such as deboration or aryl homocoupling. The complexes were active in undried methanol, without addition of base, ligand, or molecular sieves. Aniline, n-octylamine, and cyclohexylamine were coupled quantitatively under identical reaction conditions. There is only little influence of the anion on activities (less than a factor of 2) but a strong influence on induction periods. The complexes were not active in CEL coupling with alcohols, phenols, or alkylboronic acids.

Alkali metal complex-mediated ring-opening polymerization of rac-LA, ε-caprolactone, and δ-valerolactone

Catalytic ring opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide, ε-caprolactone, and δ-valerolactone using alkali metal (Li, Na, K) complexes as competent catalysts are reported.

Tetranuclear Cu(ii)-chiral complexes: synthesis, characterization and biological activity

A pair of tetranuclear chiral Cu(ii)-Schiff-base complexes were synthesized using enantiomerically pure (S)-H₂L and (R)-H₂L ligands. These were characterised using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and CD spectroscopy and their biological activity tested.

Configurationally flexible zinc complexes as catalysts for rac-lactide polymerisation

Introduction of catalytic site flexibility (fast racemisation) into a previously reported zinc alkoxide catalyst afforded a slight preference for isotactic lactide polymerization via catalytic-site mediated chain-end control.