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Organocatalytic Stereoselective Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactide with Dimeric Phosphazene Bases

Journal Article · · Journal of the American Chemical Society
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja074131c· OSTI ID:940792

Highly isotactic polylactide with a high melting temperature was synthesized from rac-lactide through an organocatalytic route using dimeric phosphazene base 1-tert-butyl-2,2,4,4,4-pentakis(dimethylamino)-2 5,4 5-catenadi(phosphazene) (P2-t-Bu) catalyst at low temperature. Microstructural analysis of the prepared polymer using homodecoupled 1H NMR spectroscopy revealed the formation of a stereoblock architecture containing long isotactic sequence of R- and S- blocks in the main chain. A proposed mechanism involving chain-end control and stereoerror explains the stereoselective polymerization.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences
Sponsoring Organization:
SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
940792
Journal Information:
Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the American Chemical Society Journal Issue: 42 Vol. 129; ISSN JACSAT; ISSN 0002-7863
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English