Work

Recyclable, Biobased Polycarbonates and Polyesters by Naphthoxy‐Imine Zinc and Magnesium Complexes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Naphthoxy‐imine pyridine zinc and magnesium complexes were synthesized and fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In the presence of an alcohol as initiator, both complexes promoted the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of L‐lactide (L‐LA), ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL), β‐butyrolactone (β‐BL), trimethylene carbonate (TMC), and 1‐methyl trimethylene carbonate (Me‐TMC), which was purposely synthesized from CO2 and the appropriate diol. The zinc complex exhibited notably high activity, particularly in the polymerization of lactide and TMC, and was subsequently employed in the synthesis of polytrimethylene carbonate‐based diblock and random copolymers with both ε‐CL and L‐LA. Furthermore, the zinc complex demonstrated its ability to close the life cycle of the synthesized materials by successfully depolymerizing both polytrimethylene carbonate (PTMC) and its copolymers.

Source: Chemistry - A European Journal

DOI: 10.1002/chem.202501271

Authors: Federica Tufano, Maria Vittoria Galotto, Alfredo D'Elia, Federica Santulli, Mina Mazzeo, Marina Lamberti

Institutions: University of Salerno, Consorzio Interuniversitario Reattività Chimica e Catalisi

Language: English

Topic: biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,640