| Abstract: | Four bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine Zn(II) and Cu(II) carboxylate complexes have been structurally elucidated and used as initiators in the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐carprolactone (ε‐CL). Reactions of bis(3,5‐dimethyl‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridine ( L1 ) with the appropriate Zn(II) and Cu(II) carboxylates afforded the corresponding complexes; Zn(L1)(C6H5COO)2] ( 1 ), Zn(L1)(2‐Cl‐C6H4COO)2] ( 2 ), Zn(L1)(OAc)2] ( 3 ) and Cu(L1)(OAc)2] ( 4 ) in moderate to good yields. Molecular structures of compounds 1 , 2 , 3 confirmed the presence of one tridentate bound ligand L1 in the metal coordination sphere and two carboxylate anions to give five coordination number around Zn(II) and Cu(II) atoms. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 initiated the ROP of ε‐CL at 110 °C to give polymers of moderate molecular weights. Kinetic analyses of the ROP reactions indicate pseudo ‐first‐order dependency on ε‐CL monomer and initiator. 1H NMR and mass spectral data established a coordination insertion mechanistic pathway and behaviour of 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 as initiators in the ROP of ε‐CL. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
