The use of Cu and Zn salicylaldimine complexes as catalyst precursors in ring opening polymerization of lactides: ligand effects on polymer characteristics

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.     

Remarkable stereocontrol in the polymerization of racemic lactide using aluminum initiators supported by tetradentate aminophenoxide ligands

A new family of aluminum complexes bearing tetradentate bis(aminophenoxide) ligands is reported and shown to initiate the living ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide. The microstructures of the polylactide products are found to be highly dependent upon the ancillary ligand substituents, ranging from highly isotactic (Pm = 0.79) to very highly heterotactic (Pr = 0.96).     

Bis(phosphinic)diamido yttrium amide, alkoxide, and aryloxide complexes: an evaluation of lactide ring-opening polymerization initiator efficiency

The synthesis and characterization of a series of bis(phosphinic)diamido yttrium alkoxide, amide, and aryloxide initiators are reported. The new complexes are characterized using multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and, in some cases, X-ray crystallography. The alkoxide complexes are all dimeric in both the solid state and in solution, as are the amide complexes substituted with iso-propyl or phenyl groups on the phosphorus atoms. On the other hand, increasing the steric hindrance of the phosphorus substituents (tert-butyl), enables isolation of mononuclear yttrium amide complexes with either 2,2-dimethylpropylene or ethylene diamido ligand backbones. The complex of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxide is also mononuclear. All the new complexes are efficient initiators for rac-lactide ring-opening polymerization. The polymerization kinetics are compared and pseudo first order rate constants, k(obs), determined. The polymerization control is also discussed, by monitoring the number-averaged molecular weight, M(n), and polydispersity index, PDI, obtained using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The alkoxide complexes are the most efficient initiators, showing very high rates and good polymerization control, behavior consistent with rapid rates of initiation. The phenoxide and amide complexes are less efficient as manifest by nonlinear regions in the kinetic plots, lower values for k(obs), and reduced polymerization control. One of the mononuclear yttrium amide complexes shows heteroselectivity in the polymerization of rac-lactide; however, this effect is reduced on changing the initiating group to phenoxide or on changing the ancillary ligand diamido backbone group.     

Thermally latent polyaddition and curing of Di‐ and tri‐functional hemiacetal esters with diepoxide by salen‐zinc complex with tunable catalytic activity and model and networking reactions

Salen‐zinc complexes (Zn/ 1 _R ) thermal‐latently catalyzed the polyaddition of a diepoxide ( 2 ) with a difunctional hemiacetal ester ( 3 ), which proceeded at moderate temperatures (100–150 °C) for curing of mixtures containing monomers and initiators. The catalytic activities of Zn/ 1 _R depended on the Lewis acidities of the complexes controlled by the electronic character of the salen ligands. For example, Zn/ 1 _3,5‐Cl bearing four electron‐withdrawing chlorine atoms initiated the polyaddition at the lowest temperature (100 °C), and Zn/ 1 _OMe bearing two electron‐donating methoxy groups initiated the polyaddition at 120 °C. The Lewis acidities of the complexes were evaluated by NMR and IR spectroscopies and computational calculation. The polyadditions with the salen‐zinc complexes proceeded quantitatively at 150 °C, and the use of a tri‐functional hemiacetal ester ( 7 ) with 2 afforded the corresponding networked polymer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1427–1439, 2008     

Solvent-ligated manganese(II) complexes for the homopolymerization of isobutene and the copolymerization of isobutene and isoprene

Polyisobutenes with a high content of terminal olefinic groups can be synthesized by using manganese(II) initiators in homogeneous solution. These easily accessible complexes initiate the polymerization at room temperature and above, and afford highly reactive, gel-free polyisobutenes with high viscosities. Furthermore, the initiators were successfully used for the copolymerization of isobutene with isoprene. The high activities of the Mn(II) initiators seem to be related to their weakly coordinating nitrile ligands, which are easily displaced by substrate molecules. Replacing the nitrile ligands by other more strongly coordinating ligands such as water reduces the initiator activity significantly. The Mn(II) initiators are surprisingly resistant to temperature.     

1,3-Diastereocontrol in acyclic radical allylations

The radical allylation of an acyclic α-hydroxyketone with allyltributyltin under chelation-controlled conditions is reported. Several reaction conditions were explored, including radical initiators, solvents, and temperatures to improve the yield and the diastereomeric ratio. Some Lewis acids, like magnesium bromide etherate and zinc chloride, gave superior diastereomeric ratios (up to 100:1) and good yields.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a dichloro zinc complex of N,N′-bis-(2,6-dichloro-benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane: Application to ring opening polymerization of rac-lactide

A novel dichloro zinc complex (L¹)ZnCl₂, where L¹ is N,N′-bis-(2,6-dichloro-benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, has been synthesized and characterized. The dimethyl derivatives, generated in situ from the well characterized dichloro zinc complexes (L¹)ZnCl₂ and (L²)ZnCl₂, where L² is N,N′-bis-(benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, were employed as initiators for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide (rac-LA). The complexes were found to be highly efficient initiators yielding the polylactide (PLA) with a narrow molecular weight distribution. The catalytic activity and heterotactic selectivity of the Zn(II) complexes were affected by the substituents on the phenyl groups of benzyl moieties in (R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane. The dimethyl derivative of (L²)ZnCl₂ produced highly stereocontrolled PLA with P_r = 0.75 at −25 °C.     

Synthesis of ZnO/polystyrene composites particles by Pickering emulsion polymerization

ZnO/polystyrene composite particles were synthesized by Pickering emulsion polymerization. ZnO nanoparticles were first prepared by reaction of zinc acetate and sodium hydroxide in ethanol medium. Then different amount of styrene monomer was emulsified in water in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles either by mechanical stirring or by sonication, followed by polymerization of styrene. Two kinds of initiators were used to start the polymerization, azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and potassium persulfate (KPS). The X-ray diffraction pattern verified the crystal structure of ZnO and FT-IR spectra evidenced the existence of ZnO and polystyrene (PS) in ZnO/polystyrene composite particles. Different morphologies were observed for the composite particles when using different initiators. From TEM photographs, AIBN-initiated system produced mainly core-shell composite particles with PS as core and ZnO as shell, while KPS-initiated system showed both composite particles and pure PS particles. Two schemes of reaction mechanism were proposed to explain the morphologies accordingly. Both systems of composite particles showed good pH adjusting ability.     

Resorbable initiators for polymerizations of lactones

Numerous nontoxic (resorbable) salts were prepared from cations and anions belonging to the human metabolism, such as Na, K, Mg, Ca, Zn and Fe in combination with chloride, iodide, hydroxide, carbonate, acetate, stearate, glycolate, L‐lactate, D‐mandelate and various N‐substituted α‐amino acids. All these salts were used as initiators for polymerizations of L‐lactide in bulk at 100–180°C. Furthermore, Grignard reagents, hemin and hematin were included in this study. Zn L‐lactate was found to be the most useful initiator in terms of reactivity, maximum molecular weight of the isolated poly(L‐lactide) and its optical purity. Zn L‐lactate initiated copolymerizations of L‐lactide and glycolid or L‐lactide and ϵ‐caprolactone were also studied. Finally, first studies of the polymerization mechanism of zinc stearate and zin 2‐ethylhexanoate were performed. They suggest that zinc carboxylates combined with an alcohol as coinitiator form reactive zinc alkoxides which are the true initiators at temperatures < 150°C.     

Homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl ethers of rosin-derived alcohols

Two vinyl ethers of rosin-derived alcohols were homopolymerized with free-radical and cationic initiators. A polymer was obtained from the vinyl ether of the alcohol from Foral in good conversion by free-radical initiators but it was not a high molecular weight product. Cationic initiators were more effective; boron trifluoride etherate proved to be best. All of the homopolymers were obtained as white powders with high crystallinity. Copolymerizations of the vinyl ethers and vinyl chloride have been studied with the use of free-radical initiators. Cationic-initiated copolymers of the vinyl ethers and isobutyl vinyl ether were studied. Those containing less than 20% of the rosin vinyl ethers were rubbery, of high molecular weight, and could be crosslinked with peroxide.     

Synthesis of Two Blue-light-emitting Complexes with Schiff Base Calixarene as the Ligand

Two new blue luminescent zinc and beryllium complexes with Schiff base calixarene derivative as the ligand were prepared.Their luminescent properties were determined,which indicated that they had strong blue fluorescent properties.They also had good solubility and film formation.These new complexes can be used as blue organic electroluminescent materials (OELMs) in organic electroluminescent devices.     

Tracking the Structure-Reactivity Relationship of Zinc Guanidine-Pyridine Hybrid Complexes Initiating Lactide Polymerisation

Summary : Three zinc guanidine-pyridine hybrid complexes [Zn(TMGqu)₂(CH₃SO₃)][CH₃SO₃] ( 1 ), [Zn(DMEGqu)(CH₃SO₃)₂] ( 2 ) and [Zn(DMEGqu)₂(CH₃SO₃)][CH₃SO₃] ( 3 ) were synthesised, completely characterised and investigated on their activity in the solvent-free ring-opening polymerisation of D,L -lactide. It was proven that the bis-chelate trigonal-bipyramidally coordinated compounds 1 and 3 are able to act as initiators for lactide polymerisation, and polylactides with molecular weights (M_w) of around 28000 g/mol could be obtained with relatively narrow polydispersities. The tetrahedral complex 2 does not initiate lactide polymerisation. In an integrated approach of structural studies and DFT calculations, the active complexes 1 and 3 were analysed towards their structural and electronical pre-requisites in comparison to their more active triflate analogues 1 ^OTf and 3 ^OTf . The influence of coordination strength of the anionic component on the charge distribution within the complex and on the substrate accessibility to the zinc centre is highlighted as crucial factor for the polymerisation initiation. As result, it is shown that the mesylate complexes 1 and 3 have less positive charge on the zinc centre and the mesylate is stronger bound than the corresponding triflate in the triflate complexes 1 ^OTf and 3 ^OTf . Consequently, the reactivity of the complexes is directly correlated to the coordinational behaviour of the anionic component.     

Determination of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol-l (BAL) by titration with zinc, with eriochrome black T as indicator

A method is proposed for the titrimetric determination of BAL with zinc solution and Eriochrome Black T (EBT) as indicator. It is based on the difference of the stabilities of the Zn(BAL)a and Zn-EBT complexes. The accuracy of the method is very good and the interference of diverse mercaptans is limited to those compounds forming zinc complexes more stable than the Zn-EBT complex.     

Preparation of fluorine-containing polyethers

Polyethers were prepared from 3,3,3-trifluoro-1,2-epoxypropane by using both cationic and anionic initiators. Aluminum chloride and boron trifluoride were the two cationic initiators investigated. The polymer obtained with the use of aluminum chloride contained no functional endgroups other than hydroxyl, while the polymer prepared with boron trifluoride contained some terminal unsaturation. Potassium hydroxide and the monosodium salt of hexafluoropentanediol were investigated as anionic initiators. The polymer obtained by using potassium hydroxide also contained terminal unsaturation, while the polymer prepared with the monosodium salt of hexafluoropentanediol was terminated with primary hydroxyl groups capable of being used in polyurethanes. All polymers had molecular weights in the range from 970 to 4300. A fluorine-containing polyformal was prepared in high yield by the reaction of hexafluoropentanediol with trioxane. The same polymer was obtained in poor yield by the reaction of hexafluoropentanediol with dibutyl formal. Ring-opening polymerizations were attempted on two fluorinated cyclic ethers, 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoropentamethylene oxide and 3,3,4,4-tetrafluorotetramethylene oxide. There was no reaction with anionic initiators. With most of the cationic initiators, there was no reaction. Boron trifluoride and phosphorus pentafluoride formed complexes with the ether, but would not cause ring opening.     

Interaction of zinc and cobalt with dipeptides and their DNA binding studies

Interactions of zinc and cobalt with peptides cysteinylglycine and histidylglycine have been studied. The binding modes were identified and geometry assigned. Stabilities of these complexes and their ability to bind DNA have been investigated. It is demonstrated that only zinc complexes bind DNA as compared to cobalt complexes     

Synthesis of (Alkynyl)phenyl Porphyrins by Palladium Catalysed Cross Coupling Reactions

meso-para and meso-meta-(phenyltriflate)tritolyl porphyrins and the zinc complexes are coupled with alkynyl stannanes or terminal alkynes with palladium catalyst to give the meso-para and meta(m-alkynylphenyl)tritolylylkphenyl porphyrins as well as the zinc complex in good yields.     

Features of acrylonitrile radical polymerization in the presence of iron carbonyl complexes

It was shown that mono- and binuclear carbonyl complexes combined with carbon tetrachloride were effective initiators of the radical polymerization of acrylonitrile. The mechanism of initiation of acrylonitrile polymerization in the presence of the investigated iron complexes was studied.     

Interaction of Zn(II) with quinolone drugs: structure and biological evaluation

Zinc complexes with the third-generation quinolone antibacterial drugs levofloxacin and sparfloxacin have been synthesized and characterized. The deprotonated quinolones act as bidentate ligands coordinated to zinc ion through the pyridone and a carboxylato oxygen atom. The crystal structures of [bis(aqua)bis(levofloxacinato)zinc(II)], 1, and [bis(sparfloxacinato)(1,10-phenanthroline)zinc(II)], 3, have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The biological activity of the complexes has been evaluated by examining their ability to bind to calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) by UV spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. UV studies of the interaction of the complexes with DNA have revealed that they can bind to CT DNA probably by the intercalative binding mode which has also been verified by DNA solution viscosity measurements. The DNA binding constants have been also calculated. A competitive study with ethidium bromide (EB) showed that the complexes exhibit the ability to displace the DNA-bound EB indicating that they bind to DNA in strong competition with EB for the intercalative binding site. The interaction of the complexes with human and bovine serum albumin proteins has been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy showing that the complexes exhibit good binding propensity to these proteins having relatively high binding constant values. The biological properties of the complexes have been evaluated in comparison to the previously reported Zn(II) complexes with the first- and second-generation quinolones oxolinic acid and enrofloxacin.     

Polymerization of ethylene oxide by alkali metal-naphthalene complexes in tetrahydrofuran

The kinetics of ethylene oxide polymerization in THF, with Na, K and Cs-naphthalene complexes as initiators, have been studied in detail.     

Benchmarking of ruthenium initiators for the ROMP of a norbornenedicarboxylic acid ester

The kinetic study of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a diester functionalised norbornene derivative, (±)-exo,endo-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester, with a series of ruthenium benzylidene complexes revealed the applicability of these initiators for well defined polymerization reactions. Values for the rate of initiation as well as the rate of propagation of the initiators were determined and correlated to the molecular weight and polydispersity of the isolated polymers. As the only initiator providing an entry to virtually monodisperse polymers the classical “first generation Grubbs-catalyst” was identified, while N-heterocyclic carbene based initiators polymerized with a rate of propagation much higher than the rate of initiation yielding polymers with a broader molecular weight distribution.