• Shaver, Michael P.
• Macdonald, J. P.

Abstract

<p>Aluminum salen and salan complexes have been extensively employed as catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters. The high tunability of the ligand framework has encouraged the systematic study of substituent effects on optimizing polymer and copolymer synthesis. Building on early work, designed catalysts are able to produce highly isotactic or heterotactic poly(lactic acid). The monomer scope has grown to include ?-lactones, ?-valerolactone, lactide, (substituted) ?-caprolactones and macrolactones, with a significant level of control over molecular weight and dispersity (?). Polymer macrostructures have also been explored, often resulting in well-defined and predictable products. Macrostructures synthesized include random copolymers, AB diblock and ABA triblock copolymers and polymer stars. Polymer macrostructure control can tune properties not accessible through homopolymerization.</p>

Topics

• aluminium
• random
• molecular weight
• copolymer
• ester
• random copolymer