N-Oxides amplify catalyst reactivity and isoselectivity in the ring-opening polymerization of rac-ß-butyrolactone.

ABSTRACT

N-Oxides can amplify the performance of a lanthanum aminobisphenolate catalyst in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-ß-butyrolactone (rac-BBL) to unprecedented levels (TOF/Pm; At RT 1900 h-1/0.73, At -30 °C 200 h-1/0.82). Experiments and computations establish donor electronics control catalyst activity, while donor sterics control catalyst deactivation.