Trinuclear and tetranuclear magnesium alkoxide clusters as highly active initiators for ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide

Inorg Chem. 2014 Jan 21;53(2):716-26. doi: 10.1021/ic401459a. Epub 2013 Dec 23.

Abstract

Trinuclear and tetranuclear magnesium alkoxide clusters supported by bulky phenolates with triangular or rhombic structures were readily synthesized in acceptable yields via the reaction of 2-N,N-dimethylaminoethanol/methoxyethanol, different phenols, and dibutylmagnesium. These complexes have been characterized using (1)H and (13)C NMR, elemental analyses, and X-ray crystallography. The experimental results indicate that these clusters are efficient and excellent initiators for the ring-opening polymerizations (ROPs) of l-lactide (LA) and afford polylactides with desired molecular weights and narrow polydispersity indexes (PDIs). Complex 2 can even catalyze the ROP of 4000 equiv of l-lactide in 1 min in a controlled model. Kinetic studies indicate that the polymerization is first-order for both the trinuclear magnesium complex 3 and LA. However, for the tetranuclear magnesium complex 5, the polymerization rate is first order for 5 and second order for LA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / chemistry*
  • Dioxanes / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Magnesium / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Polymerization*

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Dioxanes
  • dilactide
  • Magnesium