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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes
Published on: November 21, 2017
Metal-free activation in the anionic ring-opening polymerization of cyclopropane derivatives
Nicolas Illy1, Sylvie Boileau, Jacques Penelle
1Institut de Chimie et Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), Université Paris Est, CNRS, 94320 Thiais, France.
Abstract:
The successful activation observed when using Bu(t) P(4) phosphazene base and thiophenol or bisthiols for the anionic ring opening polymerization (ROP) of di-n-propyl cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate is described. Well-defined monofunctional or difunctional polymers with a very narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained through a living process. Quantitative end-capping of the propagating malonate carbanion was accessible by using either an electrophilic reagent such as allyl bromide or a strong acid such as HCl. Kinetics studies demonstrated a much higher reactivity compared to the conventional route using alkali metal thiophenolates.
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