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Updated: Jul 9, 2025

Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes

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Published on: November 21, 2017

Mixed-magnesium/zinc calix[4]arene complexes: structure, and ring opening polymerisation studies.

Henry J S Banks¹, Josef W A Frese¹, Mark R J Elsegood¹

¹Chemistry Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)

|December 7, 2023

Summary

New mixed-metal calix[4]arene systems were synthesized using organomagnesium reagents and zinc bromide. These novel systems effectively catalyze the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone under various conditions.

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Published on: August 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Organometallic Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry
Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

Calix[4]arenes are versatile macrocyclic hosts with tunable properties.
Mixed-metal complexes offer unique reactivity and structural diversity.
Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a key method for synthesizing polyesters.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize novel mixed-metal calix[4]arene systems.
To investigate the catalytic activity of these systems in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.
To explore the influence of reaction conditions (N2, air, melt) on the polymerization process.

Main Methods:

Reaction of organomagnesium reagents and zinc bromide with functionalized calix[4]arenes (1,3-dimethoxy-4-tert-butylcalix[4]areneH2 and trialkoxycalix[4]arenes).
Characterization of the resulting mixed-metal calix[4]arene complexes.
Catalytic evaluation in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.

Main Results:

Successful synthesis of diverse mixed-metal calix[4]arene complexes with intriguing molecular architectures.
Demonstration of catalytic activity in ε-caprolactone polymerization under nitrogen, air, and melt conditions.
Formation of polymer products indicating the efficacy of the calixarene systems as catalysts.

Conclusions:

Novel mixed-metal calix[4]arene systems can be efficiently prepared.
These systems exhibit robust catalytic performance in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.
The developed catalysts offer a versatile platform for polyester synthesis under ambient and melt conditions.