Issue 1, 2010

Stereocontrolled ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters: synthesis of new polyester microstructures

Abstract

Synthesis of aliphatic polyesters has been studied intensively due to their biocompatible and biodegradable properties and their potential applications in medical and agricultural fields. There has been particular emphasis over the past decade on the synthesis of discrete, well-characterized complexes that are active polymerization initiators for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide (LA) and β-butyrolactone (BBL) to give, respectively, poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). These recent advances in catalyst design have led to a variety of polyester microstructures. This tutorial review focuses on the use of metal-based complexes for the stereoselective ROP of rac-LA and rac-BBL.

Graphical abstract: Stereocontrolled ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters: synthesis of new polyester microstructures

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
17 Apr 2009
First published
28 Sep 2009

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2010,39, 165-173

Stereocontrolled ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters: synthesis of new polyester microstructures

C. M. Thomas, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2010, 39, 165 DOI: 10.1039/B810065A

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