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Ring-Opening Polymerization of L -Lactide Catalyzed by Potassium-Based Complexes: Mechanistic Studies.

Authors :
Rentero, Christian
Damián, Jesús
Medel, Asier
Fernández-Millán, María
Rusconi, Yolanda
Talarico, Giovanni
Cuenca, Tomás
Sessini, Valentina
Mosquera, Marta E. G.
Source :
Polymers (20734360). Aug2022, Vol. 14 Issue 15, p2982-2982. 14p.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Two non-toxic potassium compounds, 1 and 2, with a commercial oximate ligand have been prepared and fully spectroscopically characterized. Their activity as catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) process of LLA has been studied, showing that they are extremely active and able to polymerize the monomer in a few minutes. For derivative 2, the presence of a crown ether in the potassium coordination sphere affects the nuclearity of the compound and consequently its solubility, with both aspects having an influence in the polymerization process. Detailed studies of the polymerization mechanism have been performed, and an unusual anionic mechanism was observed in absence of a co-initiator. Indeed, the monomer deprotonation generates a lactide enolate, which initiates the polymerization propagation. On the contrary, when a 1:1 ratio of cat:BnOH is used, a mixture of mechanisms is observed, the anionic mechanism and the activated monomer one, while from a cat:BnOH ratio of 1:2 and over, only the activated monomer mechanism is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20734360
Volume :
14
Issue :
15
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Polymers (20734360)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
158518455
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14152982