Sequentially bridging anionic addition and ring-opening polymerization by cooperative organocatalysis: Well-defined block copolymers from methacrylates and cyclic esters

Organocatalytic sequential block copolymerization of dissimilar monomers with distinct chemical characteristics is great challenging, usually involving the integration of different polymerization mechanism. In this contribution, we reported the synthesis of...

Organo-catalyzed/initiated ring opening co-polymerization of cyclic anhydrides and epoxides: an emerging story

This review deals with recent organo-catalyzed/initiated developments of co-polymerization of cyclic anhydrides and epoxides to access polyesters.

Organocatalytic sequential ring-opening polymerization of a cyclic ester and anionic polymerization of a vinyl monomer

Organocatalysis has provided new tools for making block copolymers, in particular active species able to polymerize monomers of different chemical nature such as cyclic esters, cyclic carbonates and epoxides. We report herein the first example of an organocatalytic active species able to polymerize sequentially a cyclic ester, ε-decalactone, and a vinyl monomer, methyl methacrylate. The resulting block copolymer shows the properties of thermoplastic elastomers.

Synthesis of macrocyclic poly(α-hydroxyl acids) via DABCO-mediated ROP of O-carboxylanhydrides derived from l-phenylalanine even in the presence of an alcohol

On exploration of a catalytic system including simple 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), triethylboron (TEB) and benzylalcohol (BnOH), a new pathway to achieve cyclic PAHAs was developed via ROP of OCAs.

A switch from anionic to bifunctional H-bonding catalyzed ring-opening polymerizations towards polyether–polyester diblock copolymers

A switch of an anionic ROP of epoxides into a bifunctional H-bonding ROP of cyclic esters paved a new avenue to one-pot, sequential, and block copolymerizations to previously rare polyether-block-polyester copolymers.

Opposite-charge repulsive cation and anion pair cooperative organocatalysis in ring-opening polymerization

A new strained ion pair catalysis was proposed in ring-opening polymerization.

Triclocarban: Commercial Antibacterial and Highly Effective H-Bond Donating Catalyst for Ring-Opening Polymerization

The antibacterial compound, triclocarban (TCC), is shown to be a highly effective H-bond donating catalyst for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) when applied with an H-bond accepting base cocatalyst. These ROPs exhibit the characteristics of "living" polymerizations. TCC is shown to possess the high activity characteristic of urea (vs thiourea) H-bond donors. The urea class of H-bond donors is shown to remain highly active in H-bonding solvents, a trait that is not displayed by the corresponding thiourea H-bond donors. Two H-bond donating ureas that are electronically similar to TCC are evaluated for their efficacy in ROP, and a mechanism of action is proposed. This "off-the-shelf" H-bond donor is among the most active and most controlled organocatalysts for the ROP of lactones.

Squaramide and amine binary H-bond organocatalysis in polymerizations of cyclic carbonates, lactones, and lactides

Multiple combinations of six squaramides and eight amines as co-catalysts were success in ROPs of cyclic monomers by H-bond donor and acceptor binary catalysis that established a general protocol.

A preorganized dual H-bond donor promotes benzoic acid active in the polymerization of δ-valerolactone

An enzyme-mimetic model follows squalene hopene cyclase is success in catalysis of ROP of δ-valerolactone in solution at room temperature by a carboxylic “strong” acid.

Tunable intramolecular H-bonding promotes benzoic acid activity in polymerization: inspiration from nature

Intramolecular H-bonding of ortho-amido group(s) tuned benzoic acid into strong Brønsted acid active in ring-opening polymerizations of lactones and trimethylene carbonate at room temperature in solutions.