Selective polymerization catalysis: controlling the metal chain end group to prepare block copolyesters

J Am Chem Soc. 2015 Sep 30;137(38):12179-82. doi: 10.1021/jacs.5b04541. Epub 2015 Sep 16.

Abstract

Selective catalysis is used to prepare block copolyesters by combining ring-opening polymerization of lactones and ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides/anhydrides. By using a dizinc complex with mixtures of up to three different monomers and controlling the chemistry of the Zn-O(polymer chain) it is possible to select for a particular polymerization route and thereby control the composition of block copolyesters.