Supported neodymium catalysts for isoprene and rac-β-butyrolactone polymerization: modulation of reactivity by controlled grafting.

A series of hybrid materials, bearing neodymium silylamide initiating groups, have been shown to mediate isoprene polymerization when combined with alkyl aluminum activators [methylaluminoxane, AlEt(2)Cl, Al(iBu)(3)]. The surface species nature and relative distribution were correlated with isoprene polymerization activity and selectivity. This approach to stereocontrol modulation has been extended to racemic β-butyrolactone isoselective ring opening polymerization.

Exploring electronic versus steric effects in stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of lactide and β-butyrolactone with amino-alkoxy-bis(phenolate)-yttrium complexes.

A series of methoxy-amino-bis(phenol)s (ONOO(R(1),R(2)))H(2) possessing on the phenol rings R(1) ortho substituents with variable steric and electronic properties (R(1)=CMe(2)Ph, 1; CMe(2)tBu, 3; CMe(2)(4-CF(3)C(6)H(4)), 5; CPh(3), 9; Cl, 10) has been synthesized and further reacted with [Y{N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(3)](THF)(2) to give cleanly the corresponding yttrium compounds [Y(ONOO(R(1),R(2))){N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(thf)(n)] (Y-x); the solid-state structures of Y-3 and Y-10 have been determined. These amido complexes have been used as initiators for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide (LA) and rac-β-butyrolactone (BBL) to provide heterotactically enriched poly(lactic acid)s (PLAs) and syndiotactically enriched poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)s (PHBs), respectively, by means of a chain-end control mechanism. Most of these polymerizations proceeded in a controlled fashion, giving polymers with narrow polydispersities and experimental molecular weights in good agreement with calculated values.

Metal-catalyzed immortal ring-opening polymerization of lactones, lactides and cyclic carbonates.

This Perspective article summarizes efforts paid in our group to develop efficient metal-based catalysts for the immortal ring-opening polymerization (iROP) of cyclic esters in the presence of large amounts of alcohols (ROH) as chain transfer agents. The catalyst systems reviewed include discrete organometallic complexes based on rare earths, magnesium, calcium and more specifically zinc, as well as simple systems employing metal triflate salts, notably Al(OTf)(3), for the (stereo)controlled iROP of lactide (LA), beta-butyrolactone (BBL) and trimethylenecarbonate (TMC). Special emphasis is given to systems that allow the use of minute amounts of metal catalysts and large loadings of both monomer and alcohol for the rapid and productive formation of functional polyesters (H-Pol-OR) with controlled molecular features.

Bis(phosphinimino)methanide borohydride complexes of the rare-earth elements as initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone: combined experimental and computational investigations.

Rare-earth-metal borohydrides are known to be efficient catalysts for the polymerization of apolar and polar monomers. The bis-borohydrides [{CH(PPh2 NSiMe3)2}La(BH4)2(THF)] and [{CH(PPh2NSiMe3)2}Ln(BH4)2] (Ln = Y, Lu) have been synthesized by two different synthetic routes. The lanthanum and the lutetium complexes were prepared from [Ln(BH4)3(THF)3] and K{CH(PPh2NSiMe3)2}, whereas the yttrium analogue was obtained from in situ prepared [{CH(PPh2NSiMe3)2}YCl2]2 and NaBH4.

Polymerization of racemic beta-butyrolactone using supported catalysts: a simple access to isotactic polymers.

Grafting of [Ln(BH(4))(3)(THF)(3)] (Ln = La, Nd) onto silica affords materials containing well-identified bis(borohydride) surface species. The neodymium-decorated silica converts the beta-butyrolactone monomer into highly isotactic poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate). Under similar conditions, the molecular precursor gives rise to an atactic polymer.

Yttrium complexes supported by linked bis(amide) ligand: synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity in the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters.

A series of new yttrium complexes supported by the bulky enediamido dianionic ligand DAB(2-) (DAB(2-) = (2,6-C(6)H(3)iPr(2))NC(Me)=C(Me)N(2,6-C(6)H(3)iPr(2))(2-)), that is, {DAB}Y(THF)(2)(mu-Cl)(2)Li(THF)(2) (1), {DAB}Y(OtBu)(THF)(DME) (2), and {{DAB}Y(BH(4))(2)}{Li(DME)(3)} (3), was synthesized by salt metathesis. The complexes were isolated after recrystallization in 73, 66, and 52% yield, respectively, and characterized in solution by NMR and in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. In complex 1, the DAB(2-) ligand is bonded to the metal center via two covalent YN bonds, while in complexes 2 and 3 additional eta(2)-coordination of the C=C bond to the metal atom is observed, both in solution and in the solid state.

Bis(guanidinate) alkoxide complexes of lanthanides: synthesis, structures and use in immortal and stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters.

A series of new bis(guanidinate) alkoxide Group 3 metal complexes [Ln((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(OR)] (R=OtBu, Ln=Y, Nd, Sm, Lu; R=OiPr, Ln=Y, Nd, Lu) has been synthesized. X-ray structural determinations revealed that bis(guanidinate) tert-butoxides are monomeric complexes. The isopropoxide complex [Y((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(OiPr)] undergoes slow decomposition in solution, to afford the unusual dimeric amido complex [(Y((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(mu-N(iPr)C triple chemical bond N))2].