Lewis Pair Catalysts in the Polymerization of Lactide and Related Cyclic Esters
Xinlei Li,
Changjuan Chen,
Jincai Wu
Affiliations
Xinlei Li
State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Changjuan Chen
State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Jincai Wu
State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Polyesters, especially poly(lactide) (PLA), are used widely as biodegradable and biocompatible materials, yet their controllable synthesis, especially the stereoselective synthesis of polyesters, is still a challenge. Recently some excellent Lewis pair catalysts for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide and related cyclic esters have emerged. This review article will highlight the key advances in the ROP catalyzed by Lewis pair compounds with the aim of encouraging the wider application of Lewis pair catalysts in the polymerization of lactide and related cyclic esters.
