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Published on: June 20, 2019
Rare-earth amidate complexes. Easily accessed initiators for epsilon-caprolactone ring-opening polymerization
Louisa J E Stanlake1, J David Beard, Laurel L Schafer
1Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 6174 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Researchers synthesized novel yttrium amidate complexes, yielding crystalline monomers. These complexes show high activity in initiating epsilon-caprolactone ring-opening polymerization, producing high molecular weight polymers.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Yttrium amidate complexes are valuable in synthesis.
- Developing efficient catalysts for polymerization is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel yttrium amidate complexes.
- To evaluate their catalytic activity in ring-opening polymerization.
Main Methods:
- Direct synthesis via reaction of amide proligands and Y(N(SiMe3)2)3.
- Crystallization, X-ray diffraction, and NMR spectroscopy for characterization.
- Ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone.
Main Results:
- High-yielding preparation of crystalline, monomeric yttrium amidate complexes.
- Structural determination of tris(N-2',6'-diisopropylphenyl(naphthyl)amidate)yttrium mono(tetrahydrofuran) as a 7-coordinate C1 symmetric structure.
- Demonstrated high activity in initiating epsilon-caprolactone polymerization, yielding high molecular weight polymer.
Conclusions:
- Novel yttrium amidate complexes can be readily synthesized and characterized.
- These complexes are promising catalysts for efficient ring-opening polymerization.
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