Structurally well-defined group 4 metal complexes as initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of lactide monomers.

Polylactide (PLA) is an attractive polymeric material due to its origin from annually renewable resources and its biodegradability. The ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide initiated by Lewis acidic and oxophilic metal-based catalysts constitutes the method of choice to access PLA in a controlled and stereoselective manner. The design and synthesis of ligand-supported metal complexes to act as effective ROP initiators of lactide monomers have been the subject of numerous investigations over the past decades. In view of their oxophilic nature, well-defined group 4 metal complexes supported by polydentate supporting ligands have appeared as active initiators for lactide ROP. This perspective summarizes various classes of structurally well-defined group 4 metal initiators developed for lactide ROP. It also provides observed trends regarding their catalytic performance. Whenever appropriate and possible, catalyst structure-ROP performance (i.e. activity, control and stereoselectivity) relationships are rationalized.

Group 3 metal initiators with an [OSSO]-type bis(phenolate) ligand for the stereoselective polymerization of lactide monomers.

A series of 1,ω-dithiaalkanediyl-bridged bis(phenols) of the general type [OSSO]H(2) with variable steric properties and various bridges were prepared. The stoichiometric reaction of the bis(phenols) 1,3-dithiapropanediyl-2,2'-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 1,3-dithiapropanediyl-2,2'-bis[4,6-di(2-phenyl-2-propyl)phenol], rac-2,3-trans-propanediyl-1,4-dithiabutanediyl-2,2'-bis[4,6-di(2-phenyl-2-propyl)phenol], rac-2,3-trans-butanediyl-1,4-dithiabutane diyl-2,2'-bis[4,6-di(2-phenyl-2-propyl)phenol], rac-2,3-trans-hexanediyl-1,4-dithiabutanediyl-2,2'-bis[4,6-di(2-phenyl-2-propyl)phenol], 1,3-dithiapropanediyl-2,2'-bis[6-(1-methylcyclohexyl)-4-methylphenol] (C(1), R=1-methylcyclohexyl), and 1,4-dithiabutanediyl-2,2'-bis[6-(1-methylcyclohexyl)-4-methylphenol] with rare-earth metal silylamido precursors [Ln{N(SiHMe(2))(2)(3)(thf)(x)] (Ln=Sc, x=1 or Ln=Y, x=2; thf=tetrahydrofuran) afforded the corresponding scandium and yttrium bis(phenolate) silylamido complexes [Ln(OSSO){N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(thf)] in moderate to good yields. The monomeric nature of these complexes was shown by an X-ray diffraction study of one of the yttrium complexes. The complexes efficiently initiated the ring-opening polymerization of rac- and meso-lactide to give heterotactic-biased poly(rac-lactides) and highly syndiotactic poly(meso-lactides). Variation of the ligand backbone and the steric properties of the ortho substituents affected the level of tacticity in the polylactides.

Indium complexes supported by 1,omega-dithiaalkanediyl-bridged bis(phenolato) ligands: synthesis, structure, and controlled ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide.

Indium bis(phenolato) complexes [In(L)R(THF)(n)] (L = 1,4-dithiabutanediylbis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenolato) (etbbp), R = Cl, n = 0, 1; L = 1,3-dithiapropanediylbis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolato) (mtbmp), R = Me, n = 1, 2; L = 1,4-dithiabutanediyl-bis(6-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenolato) (etbmp), R = Me, n = 0, 3; L = etbbp, R = CH(2)SiMe(3), n = 0, 4; L = 1,4-dithiabutanediylbis{4,6-di(2-phenyl-2-propyl)phenolato} (etccp), R = CH(2)SiMe(3), n = 0, 5) were prepared from indium trichloride or from the corresponding tris(alkyl) complexes and 1 equiv of tetradentate 1,omega-dithiaalkanediyl-bridged bis(phenol) LH(2). The monomeric nature of the alkyl indium complexes was shown by X-ray diffraction studies of the complexes [In(mtbmp)Me(THF)] (2), [In(etbbp)(CH(2)SiMe(3))] (4), and [In(etccp)(CH(2)SiMe(3))] (5). Pseudo-octahedral configuration was found for 2, while square pyramidal structure was observed for 4 and 5. The isopropoxy complexes [In(L)(O(i)Pr)] (L = etbbp, 6; etccp, 7) were synthesized starting with indium tris(isopropoxide). Complex 6 crystallized as homochiral dimer of pseudo-octahedral fragments with bridging mu(2)-alkoxide ligands, but in solution two diastereomers were observed. The isopropoxy complexes efficiently initiated the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide in toluene to give isotactic poly(L-lactides) with narrow molecular weight distribution (M(w)/M(n) = 1.03-1.18).