Work

Ultrarapid Cerium(III)–NHC Catalysts for High Molar Mass Cyclic Polylactide

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Cyclic polyesters could improve the properties of degradable plastics, but routes to them that provide a product with faster rates, higher molar mass, and greater selectivity for cyclic vs linear polymer are needed. Here, homogeneous Ce(III)–N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts show outstanding activities (turn-over-frequency (TOF) > 864 000 h –1 ), excellent control, and selectivity for cyclic polylactide (PLA) topology (>95%), yielding high molar mass PLA (60 < M n < 250 kg mol –1 ). They efficiently produce cyclic PLA from rac -lactide or l -lactide and aliphatic cyclic polyesters from ε-caprolactone or β-butyrolactone. The enhanced performances are only achievable from combining cooperative Lewis acidic cerium( III ) and hemilabile N-heterocyclic carbene functionalities.

Source: ACS Catalysis

DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c04858

Authors: Ryan W. F. Kerr, Paul M. D. A. Ewing, Sumesh K. Raman, Andrew D. Smith, Charlotte K. Williams, Polly L. Arnold

Institutions: University of St Andrews, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh

Language: English

Topic: biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of Edinburgh, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, H2020 European Research Council