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Phosphasalen Indium Complexes Showing High Rates and Isoselectivities in rac-Lactide Polymerizations.
Title Phosphasalen Indium Complexes Showing High Rates and Isoselectivities in rac-Lactide Polymerizations.
Authors Myers, D.; White, A.J.P.; Forsyth, C.M.; Bown, M.; Williams, C.K.
Journal Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
DOI 10.1002/anie.201701745
Abstract

Polylactide (PLA) is the leading bioderived polymer produced commercially by the metal-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of lactide. Control over tacticity to produce stereoblock PLA, from rac-lactide improves thermal properties but is an outstanding challenge. Here, phosphasalen indium catalysts feature high rates (30±3 m(-1)  min(-1) , THF, 298 K), high control, low loadings (0.2 mol %), and isoselectivity (Pi =0.92, THF, 258 K). Furthermore, the phosphasalen indium catalysts do not require any chiral additives.