Recent Advances in Zinc Complexes for Stereoselective Ring-Opening Polymerization and Copolymerization
Xia Li,
Yang Li,
Gangqiang Zhang,
Yat-Ming So,
Yu Pan
Affiliations
Xia Li
Institute of Functional Textiles and Advanced Materials, College of Textiles and Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
Yang Li
School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
Gangqiang Zhang
Institute of Functional Textiles and Advanced Materials, College of Textiles and Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
Yat-Ming So
Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong 999077, China
Yu Pan
Institute of Functional Textiles and Advanced Materials, College of Textiles and Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
Recent advances in zinc complexes for stereoselective ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and copolymerization (ROCOP) highlight their pivotal role in synthesizing biodegradable aliphatic polyesters and polycarbonates. These materials address the urgent demand for sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, with stereochemical control directly impacting polymer crystallinity, thermal stability, and degradability. Zinc catalysts, leveraging low toxicity and versatile coordination chemistry, enable precise stereoregulation, whose performance is modulated by ligand steric/electronic effects, coordination geometry, and reaction conditions. This review summarizes the recent developments in zinc complexes for stereoselective ROP and ROCOP, focusing on ligand design strategies to enhance catalytic performance.
