Synthesis of star-shaped poly(lactide)s, poly(valerolactone)s and poly(caprolactone)s ROP catalyzed by N-donor tin(ii) cations and comparison of their wetting properties with linear analogues.

In this study, we report the use of N-coordinated tin(ii) cations [L→Sn(HO)][OTf]·THF (1) and [L→SnCl][SnCl] (2) (L = 1,2-(CHN-2-CH = N)CHCH) as efficient ROP catalysts, which, in combination with benzyl alcohol, afford well-defined linear poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(δ-valerolactones) (PVL) an activated monomer mechanism (AMM). Thanks to the versatility of complexes 1 and 2 as catalysts, star-shaped PCL, PVL and PLA were also prepared using three-, four-, five- and six-functional alcohols. The number of arms was determined by SEC-MALS-Visco analysis.