Ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide and ε-caprolactone using zinc and calcium salicylaldiminato complexes

Joshua B. L. Gallaway, Justin R. K. McRae, Andreas Decken, Michael P. Shaver

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Tridentate Schiff base complexes of zinc and calcium were prepared and tested in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide to generate biodegradable polymeric materials from biocompatible metals. Alteration of the pendant donor arm attached to the imine backbone provides some control over catalyst composition and polymerization activity. Complexes of the formula [ONN]ZnN(SiMe3)2, where [ONN] = 2-(N-donor arm-imine)[4,6-di(tert-butyl)phenoxide], were isolated with ethyldimethylamine, ethylpiperidine, and ethylmorpholine substituents, while disproportionation led to the isolation of [ONN]2Zn complexes with methylpyridine, quinoline, and ethyldiisopropylamine derivatives, two of which were crystallographically characterized. Calcium complexes were more stable and novel [ONN]CaN(SiMe3)2 complexes with ethylpiperidine and ethyldiisopropylamine substituents were reported. Zinc and calcium catalysts coordinated to a single tridentate ligand were effective at initiating the polymerization of ε-caprolactone, but did not control the polymerizations, whereas the bis(ligand) complexes produced no polymer. These catalysts were effective at controlling the polymerization of rac-lactide. Coordinatively saturated complexes inhibit the polymerization, while initiation from either the amido or ligand alkoxide functionalities produces poly(lactic acid) with low polydispersities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)419-426
Number of pages8
JournalCanadian Journal of Chemistry
Volume90
Issue number5
Early online date4 Apr 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2012

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide and ε-caprolactone using zinc and calcium salicylaldiminato complexes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this