Stereoselective polymerization of rac‐lactide with a bulky aluminum/Schiff base complex

An aluminum/Schiff base complex {[2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneiminato)](isopropanolato)aluminum(III) ( 2 )} based on a bulky ligand and aluminum isopropoxide was prepared and employed for the stereoselective ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide (rac-LA). The initiator was characterized with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), crystal structure measurements, and elemental analysis. It contained a five-coordinate aluminum atom that was trigonal bipyramidal in the solid state according to the crystal structure measurements. The two conformational stereoisomers of 2 exchanged quickly on the NMR scale. Compound 2 polymerized rac-LA into a crystalline polymer that was characterized with ¹H NMR, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and gel permeation chromatography. The kinetics of the polymerization were first-order in both the monomer and initiator, and there was a linear relationship between the rac-LA conversion and the number-average molecular weight of poly(rac-LA) with a narrow molecular distribution (1.04–1.08). These features showed that the polymerization was well controlled. The high melting temperature (196–201 °C) and isotacticity of poly(rac-LA) indicated that complex 2 was a highly stereoselective initiator for the ROP of rac-LA. The stereoselectivity was as high as 90%, and the stereoblocks of poly(rac-LA) by complex 2 contained an average of 20 units (average block length = 20) of enantiomerically pure lactic acid. The activation energy (23.6 kJ mol⁻¹) was obtained according to an Arrhenius equation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5974–5982, 2004     

Enolic schiff base aluminum complexes and their catalytic stereoselective polymerization of racemic lactide

A series of enolic Schiff base aluminum(III) complexes LAlR (where L=NNOO-tetradentate enolic Schiff base ligand) containing ligands that differ in their steric and electronic properties were synthesized. Their single crystals showed that these complexes are five-coordinated around the aluminum center. Their coordination geometries are between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal. Their catalytic properties in the solution polymerization of racemic lactide (rac-LA) were examined. The modifications in the auxiliary ligand exhibited a dramatic influence on the catalytic performance. Lengthening the backbone from C(2) alkylene to C(3) alkylene resulted in remarkable enhancement of both the stereoselectivity and the polymerization rate because of the increasing flexibility of the diimine backbone. Electron-withdrawing substituents in the diketone also highly improved the activity and the stereoselectivity. Among these complexes, 4 b had the highest activity and the stereoselectivity owing to the C(3) alkylene backbone and the two gem-methyl groups on the middle carbon atom. The value of the polymerization rate constant (k(p)) catalyzed by 4 b in 70 degrees C was 1.90 L mol(-1) min(-1), the activation energy of the polymerization (35.4 kJ mol(-1)) was calculated according to the Arrhenius equation. Other factors that influenced the polymerization, such as the polymerization time, the temperature, and the monomer concentration, are also discussed in detail.     

Ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐ and meso‐lactide initiated by indium bis(phenolate) isopropoxy complexes

Ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐ and meso‐lactide initiated by indium bis(phenolate) isopropoxides {1,4‐dithiabutanediylbis(4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenolate)}(isopropoxy)indium ( 1 ) and {1,4‐dithiabutanediylbis(4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenolate)}(isopropoxy)indium ( 2 ) is found to follow first‐order kinetics for monomer conversion. Activation parameters ΔH^? and ΔS^? suggest an ordered transition state. Initiators 1 and 2 polymerize meso‐lactide faster than rac‐lactide. In general, compound 2 with the more bulky cumyl ortho‐substituents in the phenolate moiety shows higher polymerization activity than 1 with tert‐butyl substituents. meso‐Lactide is polymerized to syndiotactic poly(meso‐lactides) in THF, while polymerization of rac‐lactide in THF gives atactic poly(rac‐lactides) with solvent‐dependent preferences for heterotactic (THF) or isotactic (CH₂Cl₂) sequences. Indium bis(phenolate) compound rac‐(1,2‐cyclohexanedithio‐2,2′‐bis{4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenolato}(isopropoxy)indium ( 3 ) polymerizes meso‐lactide to give syndiotactic poly(meso‐lactide) with narrow molecular weight distributions and rac‐lactide in THF to give heterotactically enriched poly(rac‐lactides). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4983–4991     

Ring opening polymerization of lactide promoted by alcoholyzed heteroscorpionate aluminum complexes

The alcoholysis of the heteroscorpionate methyl aluminum complex (bpzmp)AlMe₂ ( 1 ) (bpzmp = 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(bis‐(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl)phenoxo), promoted both by phenol and isopropanol, has been investigated. The reaction of 1 with phenol afforded the dimeric mono(phenoxo) derivative 2 , whereas the alcoholysis of 1 with the less acidic isopropanol involved the coordinated heteroscorpionate ligand and led to the tetrahedral complex 3 in which the aluminum atom is surrounded by one κ²‐N,O^? coordinated bpzmp ligand and one η¹‐O^? coordinated ppzmp ligand (ppzmp = 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(i‐propoxy‐(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl)phenoxo). Complexes 1 – 3 have been tested in the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of L ‐lactide. The dimeric mono(phenoxo) derivative 2 was inactive in the ROP of L ‐lactide. Quite surprisingly, complex 3 was found to be active in ROP of L ‐ and rac‐lactide, showing a good molar‐mass control. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3632–3639, 2010     

Efficient initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide: Synthesis and characterization of NNO‐tridentate Schiff‐base zinc complexes

A series of efficient catalysts, based on zinc alkoxides coordinated with NNO‐tridentate Schiff‐base ligands (L¹H‐L⁶H), for ring opening polymerization of L ‐lactide have been prepared. The reactions of diethyl zinc (ZnEt₂) with L¹H‐L⁶H yielded [(μ‐L)ZnEt]₂ ( 1a–6a ), respectively. Further reaction of compounds 1a–6a with benzyl alcohol (BnOH) produced the corresponding compounds of [LZn(μ‐OBn)]₂ ( 1b–6b), respectively. X‐ray crystal structural studies reveal that all of these compounds 1a–6a are dimeric bridging through the phenolato oxygen atoms of the Schiff‐base ligand. However, the molecular structures of 1b–6b show a dimeric character bridging through the benzylalkoxy oxygen atoms. Ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐lactide, initiated by 1b–6b , proceeds rapidly with good molecular weight control and yields polymer with a very narrow molecular weight distribution. Experimental results show that the substituents on the imine carbon of the NNO‐ligand affect the reactivity of zinc complexes dramatically. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6466–6476, 2008     

Stereoselective ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐lactide with a single‐site,racemic aluminum alkoxide catalyst: Synthesis of stereoblock poly(lactic acid)

The polymerization of racemic lactide with a racemic aluminum alkoxide catalyst is reported. Microstructural analysis of the polymer produced with ¹H NMR spectroscopy revealed that an isotactic stereoblock poly(lactic acid) formed, where each enantiomerically pure block contained an average of 11 lactide monomer units. The melting point of this polymer, 179 °C, was higher than that of the enantiomerically pure polymer, consistent with the cocrystallization of the enantiomeric blocks of the polymer. The mechanism of the polymer formation is currently unknown, although a polymer exchange pathway, where living chain ends switch between metal centers to produce diastereomeric active species, is proposed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4686–4692, 2000     

Aluminum salen and salan complexes in the ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic esters: Controlled immortal and copolymerization of rac‐β‐butyrolactone and rac‐lactide

Aluminum‐based salen and salan complexes mediate the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of rac‐β‐butyrolactone (β‐BL), rac‐lactide, and ε‐caprolactone. Al‐salen and Al‐salan complexes exhibit excellent control over the ROP of rac‐β‐butyrolactone, yielding atactic poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) with narrow PDIs of <1.15 for Al‐salen and <1.05 for Al‐salan. Kinetic studies reveal pseudo‐first‐order polymerization kinetics and a linear relationship between molecular weight and percent conversion. These complexes also mediate the immortal ROP of rac‐β‐BL and rac‐lactide, through the addition of excess benzyl alcohol of up to 50 mol eq., with excellent control observed. A novel methyl/adamantyl‐substituted Al‐salen system further improves control over the ROP of rac‐lactide and rac‐β‐BL, yielding atactic PHB and highly isotactic poly(lactic acid) (P_m = 0.88). Control over the copolymerization of rac‐lactide and rac‐β‐BL was also achieved, yielding poly(lactic acid)‐co‐poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) with narrow PDIs of <1.10. ¹H NMR spectra of the copolymers indicate a strong bias for the insertion of rac‐lactide over rac‐β‐BL. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

吡咯茂钐络合物的合成及其催化的丙交酯聚合

本文合成了吡咯修饰的二茂稀土金属有机化合物,并研究了该化合物对丙交酯的聚合,结果显示该化合物可以在很宽的温度范围内实现对丙交酯的高转化率聚合．     

Ring‐opening polymerization and block copolymerization of L‐lactide with divalent samarocene complex

Divalent samarocene complex [(C₅H₉C₅H₄)₂Sm(tetrahydrofuran)₂] was prepared and characterized and used to catalyze the ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐lactide (L‐LA) and copolymerization of L‐LA with caprolactone (CL). Several factors affecting monomer conversion and molecular weight of polymer, such as polymerization time, temperature, monomer/catalyst ratio, and solvent, were examined. The results indicated that polymerization was rapid, with monomer conversions reaching 100% within 1 h, and the conformation of L‐LA was retained. The structure of the block copolymer of CL/L‐LA was characterized by NMR and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphological changes during crystallization of poly(caprolactone) (PCL)‐b‐P(L‐LA) copolymer were monitored with real‐time hot‐stage atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effect of temperature on the morphological change and crystallization behavior of PCL‐b‐P(L‐LA) copolymer was demonstrated through AFM observation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2667–2675, 2003     

Copolymerization of carbon dioxide with cyclohexene oxide catalyzed by bimetallic dysprosium complexes containing hydrazine‐functionalized Schiff‐base derivatives

A series of dinuclear Dy^III acetate complexes containing three different hydrazine‐functionalized Schiff‐base ligands ( hmb , hmi, and hb ) have been synthesized by one‐pot reaction with Dy(OAc)₃·4H₂O as the metal precursor. [Dy₂( hmb )₂(OAc)₄]·MeCN ( 1 ·MeCN) and [Dy₂( hmi )₂(OAc)₂(MeOH)₂]·H₂O ( 2 ·H₂O) with keto and enol forms of the corresponding ligands, respectively, were shown the similar core structures but different ratio of Dy^III to OAc^–. Moreover, the different coordination environments of complex [Dy₂( hb )₂(μ‐OAc)₂(OAc)₂(H₂O)₂]·DMF·H₂O ( 3 ·DMF·H₂O) also offered an opportunity to understand the relationship between structural model and catalytic properties. Bimetallic dysprosium complexes 1 – 3 were demonstrated to be active catalysts for copolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and cyclohexene oxide (CHO) without cocatalysts. To the best of our knowledge, well‐defined catalyst 2 appears to be the first example of an air‐stable bimetallic dysprosium complex that is effective for CO₂/CHO copolymerization and the formation of the perfectly alternating poly(cyclohexenecarbonate) with a high molecular weight. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 321–328     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic activity of titanium iminophenoxide complexes in relation to the ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone

This study synthesized a series of titanium iminophenoxide complexes and investigated their suitability as catalysts for the ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐lactide (L ‐LA) and ε‐caprolactone (CL). Complexes with bidentate ligands demonstrate higher catalytic activity than their tridentate counterparts since the third coordination atom needs to contend with L ‐LA and CL. Differences in the geometric framework of bidentate ligands also influence the catalytic activity. Type II ligands (N, N‐trans form of Ti complex) prevent the coordination of monomers to Ti thereby decreasing the initiation rate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Ring‐opening polymerization of lactides initiated by magnesium and zinc complexes based on NNO‐tridentate ketiminate ligands: Activity and stereoselectivity studies

Four metal benzylalkoxides, [L₂M₂(μ‐OBn)₂] (M = Mg or Zn), based on NNO‐tridentate ketiminate ligands are synthesized and characterized. X‐ray crystal structural studies of [(L¹)₂Mg₂(μ‐OBn)₂] ( 1a ) and [(L¹)₂Zn₂(μ‐OBn)₂] ( 1b ) (L¹‐H = (Z)‐4‐((2‐(dimethylamino)ethylamino)(phenyl)methylene)‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐pyrazol‐5‐one) reveal that both complexes 1a and 1b are dinuclear species whereas the geometry around the metal center is penta‐coordinated bridging through the benzylalkoxy oxygen atoms in the solid structure. The activities and stereoselectivities of these four complexes toward the ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐lactide and rac‐lactide are investigated. Polymerization of L ‐lactide initiated by these four metal benzyloxides proceeds rapidly with good molecular weight control and yields polymer with a very narrow molecular weight distribution. The kinetic studies for the polymerization of L ‐lactide with compound 1a show first order in both compound 1a and lactide concentrations with the polymerization rate constant, k, of 6.94 M/min. Besides, experimental results demonstrate that among these metal benzylalkoxides, complex 1a exhibits the highest stereoselectivity with a Pr up to 87% and complex 1b possesses the highest activity indicating that the terminal group of NNO‐tridentate ketimine ligands exerts a significant influence on both the reactivity and stereoselectivity of these complexes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2318–2329, 2009     

Ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐lactide catalyzed by Al(III) and Zn(II) complexes incorporating Schiff base ligands derived from pyrrole‐2‐carboxaldehyde

A series of Al(III) chloride [LAl‐Cl]; Al(III) alkoxide [LAl‐OR]₂; and Zn(II) [LZn]₂ complexes with Schiff base ligands were obtained. ¹H NMR and X‐ray diffraction studies indicate that [LAl‐Cl] complexes have C_s symmetry and the Al center is penta‐coordinated. The Al(III) alkoxide complex [L⁵Al‐OⁱPr]₂ is a dimer bridged by OⁱPr^? with the Al center in a distorted octahedral environment. Zn complexes [LZn]₂ are double helix dimers with tetra‐coordinated Zn centers. The catalytic activity for the ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐lactide was evaluated. The best activity in this series is shown by the aluminium chloride complex with a flexible three‐carbon bridge; more flexible four‐carbon bridges lower the activity.     

Initiation process of L‐lactide polymerization carried out with zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate

Lactide polymerization using zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate [Zr(acac)₄] as an initiator was investigated. In the reaction between Zr(acac)₄ and the monomer molecule, lactide deprotonation and the release of acetylacetone occurred. The structures of the obtained complexes were analyzed with high‐resolution NMR spectroscopy. A computational method was used to calculate the hypothetical structures. The role of the obtained complexes in the initiation of polymerization and the reaction of chain growth was proposed. The influence of the reaction temperature on the structures of the complexes was investigated. Polylactide chain growth proceeded by an insertion‐coordination mechanism. The polymer chain grew on one ligand, which was formed in advance from a deprotonated lactide. The molecular masses of the obtained polymers were the same as the theoretical masses and were directly proportional to the reaction conversion. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1886–1900, 2004     

A “Mitsubishi emblem” tetrauclear aluminum complex containing two unsymmetric N2O2‐ligands and a symmetric NO3‐ligand as initiator for polymerization of rac‐lactide

A novel hydroxy‐, methoxy‐, and phenoxy‐bridge “Mitsubishi emblem” tetranuclear aluminum complex ( 1 ) is synthesized from an unsymmetric amine‐pyridine‐bis(phenol) N₂O₂‐ligand (H₂L¹) and a symmetric amine‐tris(phenol) NO₃‐ligand (H₂L²). Two same configuration chiral nitrogen atoms are formed in the tetranuclear Al complex upon coordination of the unsymmetric tertiary amine ligand to central Al. Complex 1 initiates controlled ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of rac‐lactide and afford polylactide (PLA) with narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.05–1.19). The analysis of ¹H NMR spectra of the oligomer indicates that the methoxy group is the initiating group and the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide follows a coordination‐insertion mechanism. The Homonuclear decoupled ¹H NMR spectroscopy suggests the isotactic‐rich chains is preferentially formed in PLA. The study on kinetics of the ROP of lactide reveals the homopropagation rate is higher than the cross‐propagation rate, which is in agreement with the observed isotactic selectivity in the ROP of rac‐lactide. The stereochemistry of the polymerization was also supported by activation parameters. The introduction of unsymmetric ligand H₂L¹ has an effect on stereoslectivity of polymerization. This result may be of interest for the design of multinuclear metal complex catalysts containing functionalized ligands. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2084–2091     

Phosphido‐diphosphine pincer group 3 complexes as efficient initiators for lactide polymerization

New Group 3 metal complexes of the type [LM(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)_n] supported by tridentate phosphido‐diphosphine ligands [(o‐C₆H₄PR₂) ₂ PH; L1‐H : R = iPr; L2‐H : R = Ph] have been synthesized by reaction of L1‐H and L2‐H with [M(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂)] (M = Y and Sc). All the new complexes [(o‐C₆H₄PR₂) ₂ PM(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)_n] [M = Y, R = iPr (1), R = Ph (2); M = Sc, R = iPr (3), R = Ph (4)] were studied as initiators for the ring opening polymerization of lactide. The yttrium complexes ( 1 and 2 ) exhibited high activity and good polymerization control, shown by the linear fits in the plot of number‐averaged molecular weight (M_n) versus the percentage conversion and versus the monomer/initiator ratio and by the low polydispersity index values. Interestingly, very good molar‐mass control was observed even when L ‐Lactide was polymerized in the absence of solvent at 130 °C. A good molar‐mass control but lower activities were observed in the polymerization reaction of lactide promoted by the analogous scandium complexes 3 and 4 . © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1374–1382, 2010     

The influence of organosuperbases on the structure and activity of dialkylgallium alkoxides in the polymerization of rac‐lactide: the road to stereo diblock PLA copolymers

Stereoselective polymerization of rac‐lactide is one of the most important issues as the properties of polylactide (PLA) depend strongly on its tacticity. There is, however, a paucity of catalysts that allow for easy switching between heteroselectivity and isoselectivity, which limits the synthesis of stereo copolymers of PLA and modification of polylactide properties. Dialkylgallium alkoxides activated by organosuperbases have been used as catalysts in the ring‐opening polymerization of racemic lactide (rac‐LA). The reaction of (S,S)‐[Me₂Ga(μ‐OCH(Me)CO₂Me)]₂ ( 1 ) with 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) or 7‐methyl‐1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (MTBD) resulted in the formation of isoselective gallium species, highly active in the polymerization of rac‐LA. DOSY (diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy) NMR was indicative for the presence of dimeric gallium species. However, the structure of model monomeric gallium alkoxide Me₂Ga(ON) (where ON is monoanionic bidentate ligand possessing organosuperbase functionality) shows that the presence of an organosuperbase may substantially weaken Ga?O_alkoxide?Ga bridges. The facile switch of stereoselectivity upon addition of organosuperbase to nonselective/heteroselective 1 allowed for the first time the synthesis of diblock polylactide comprised of isotactically and heterotactically enriched blocks. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stereoselective ring‐opening polymerization of D,L‐lactide,initiated by aluminum isopropoxides bearing tridentate nonchiral schiff‐base ligands

Ring‐opening polymerization of D,L ‐lactide was stereoselectively achieved using newly designed aluminum alkoxide complexes as initiators. These half‐SALEN aluminum complexes bearing tridentate nonchiral Schiff‐base ligands are racemates, which provide chirality in the aluminum centers, efficiently afforded a stereoblock copolymer of D,L ‐LA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Phosphines: Nucleophilic organic catalysts for the controlled ring‐opening polymerization of lactides

A new metal‐free synthetic approach to the controlled ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide with nucleophilic phosphines as transesterification catalysts is described. P(Bu)₃, PhPMe₂, Ph₂PMe, PPh₃, and related phosphines are commercially available, inexpensive catalysts that generate narrowly dispersed polylactides with predictable molecular weights. These organic catalysts must be used in combination with an initiator, such as an alcohol, to generate an alcoholate ester α‐end group upon ROP. A likely polymerization pathway is through a monomer‐activated mechanism, with minimal active species, facilitating narrow molecular weight distributions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 844–851, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10168     

Living ring‐opening polymerization of lactides catalyzed by guanidinium acetate

Hexabutyl guanidinium acetate (HBG · OAc) was synthesized and successfully used as a catalyst for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of lactides. The experimental results indicated that the guanidinium salt HBG · OAc showed satisfactory catalytic behavior. Polymerization in bulk (120 °C, 18 h) produced polylactides with moderate molecular weights (number‐average molecular weight = 2.0 × 10⁴) and very narrow molecular weight distributions (polydispersity index = 1.07–1.12). A kinetic study of polymerization in bulk with HBG · OAc as an initiator revealed that the polymerization possessed typical characteristics of living polymerization. A ROP mechanism by HBG · OAc was proposed on the basis of the additive effect of the polymerization and the ¹H NMR characterization of the microstructure of the product polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3775–3781, 2004