The use of Cu and Zn salicylaldimine complexes as catalyst precursors in ring opening polymerization of lactides: ligand effects on polymer characteristics |
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| Authors: | Suraj Bhunora Jane Mugo Archana Bhaw‐Luximon Selwyn Mapolie Juanita Van Wyk James Darkwa Ebbe Nordlander |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius;2. Department of Chemistry, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa;3. Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, South Africa;4. Inorganic Chemistry Research Group, Chemical Physics, Centre for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Sweden |
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| Abstract: | A range of monomeric tetra‐coordinate copper (II) and zinc (II) complexes based on N,O‐bidentate salicylaldimine Schiff base ligands has been synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. These complexes were then evaluated as initiators in ring‐opening polymerization of lactides at both 70 °C and 110 °C. The effect of structural changes in the complexes on the ability of these compounds to initiate lactide polymerization as well as the impact on the chemical and physical characteristics of the polymers obtained indicate that the coordination geometry of the metal complex, M? O bond length and substituents on the Schiff base ligand all play a role in the catalyst activity. Electronic factors were dominant in the case of the copper complexes while steric factors prevailed in the case of Zn initiators. Both the Zn and Cu complexes exhibit characteristics of living ring opening polymerization. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | salicylaldimine complexes copper Schiff base complexes zinc Schiff base complexes lactide polymerization ring‐opening polymerization |
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