Lewis Pair Catalysts in the Polymerization of Lactide and Related Cyclic Esters

Xinlei Li; Changjuan Chen; Jincai Wu

doi:10.3390/molecules23010189

Molecules (Jan 2018)

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

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23010189
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 23, no. 1
p. 189

Abstract

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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.

Published in Molecules

ISSN: 1420-3049 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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