Ring-opening polymerization is used to prepare polyesters with precisely controlled molecular weights, molecular weight distributions, and tacticities. Herein, we report a newly developed Co/Zn catalytic system that can be activated by an electrical current to mediate efficient ring-opening polymerization of enantiopure <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides, allowing for the synthesis of isotactic functionalized polyesters with high molecular weights (>140 kDa) and narrow molecular weight distributions (<i>M</i><sub>w</sub>/<i>M</i><sub>n</sub> < 1.1). We also demonstrate that these catalysts can be used for stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of racemic <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides to synthesize syndiotactic or stereoblock copolymers with different glass transition temperatures compared with their atactic counterparts.
Photoredox ring-opening polymerization of <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides allows for the synthesis of polyesters with precisely controlled molecular weights, molecular weight distributions, and tacticities. While powerful, obviating the use of precious metal-based photocatalysts would be attractive from the perspective of simplifying the protocol and enabling unexpected reactivity. Herein, we report the Co and Zn catalysts that are activated by external light to mediate efficient ring-opening polymerization of <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides, without the use of exogenous precious metal-based photocatalysts. Our methods allow for the synthesis of isotactic polyesters with high molecular weights (>200 kDa) and narrow molecular weight distributions (<i>M</i><sub>w</sub>/<i>M</i><sub>n</sub> < 1.1). Mechanistic studies indicate that light activates the oxidative status of Co<sup>III</sup> intermediate that is generated from the regioselective ring-opening of the <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydride. We also demonstrate that the use of Zn or Hf complexes together with Co can allow for stereoselective photoredox ring-opening polymerizations of multiple racemic <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides to synthesize syndiotactic and stereoblock copolymers, which vary widely in their glass transition temperatures.
Photoredox ring-opening polymerization of <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides allows for the synthesis of polyesters with precisely controlled molecular weights, molecular weight distributions, and tacticities. While powerful, obviating the use of precious metal-based photocatalysts would be attractive from the perspective of simplifying the protocol and enabling unexpected reactivity. Herein, we report the Co and Zn catalysts that are activated by external light to mediate efficient ring-opening polymerization of <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides, without the use of exogenous precious metal-based photocatalysts. Our methods allow for the synthesis of isotactic polyesters with high molecular weights (>200 kDa) and narrow molecular weight distributions (<i>M</i><sub>w</sub>/<i>M</i><sub>n</sub> < 1.1). Mechanistic studies indicate that light activates the oxidative status of Co<sup>III</sup> intermediate that is generated from the regioselective ring-opening of the <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydride. We also demonstrate that the use of Zn or Hf complexes together with Co can allow for stereoselective photoredox ring-opening polymerizations of multiple racemic <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides to synthesize syndiotactic and stereoblock copolymers, which vary widely in their glass transition temperatures.
Photoredox ring-opening polymerization of <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides allows for the synthesis of polyesters with precisely controlled molecular weights, molecular weight distributions, and tacticities. While powerful, obviating the use of precious metal-based photocatalysts would be attractive from the perspective of simplifying the protocol and enabling unexpected reactivity. Herein, we report the Co and Zn catalysts that are activated by external light to mediate efficient ring-opening polymerization of <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides, without the use of exogenous precious metal-based photocatalysts. Our methods allow for the synthesis of isotactic polyesters with high molecular weights (>200 kDa) and narrow molecular weight distributions (<i>M</i><sub>w</sub>/<i>M</i><sub>n</sub> < 1.1). Mechanistic studies indicate that light activates the oxidative status of Co<sup>III</sup> intermediate that is generated from the regioselective ring-opening of the <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydride. We also demonstrate that the use of Zn or Hf complexes together with Co can allow for stereoselective photoredox ring-opening polymerizations of multiple racemic <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides to synthesize syndiotactic and stereoblock copolymers, which vary widely in their glass transition temperatures.
Ring-opening polymerization is used to prepare polyesters with precisely controlled molecular weights, molecular weight distributions, and tacticities. Herein, we report a newly developed Co/Zn catalytic system that can be activated by an electrical current to mediate efficient ring-opening polymerization of enantiopure <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides, allowing for the synthesis of isotactic functionalized polyesters with high molecular weights (>140 kDa) and narrow molecular weight distributions (<i>M</i><sub>w</sub>/<i>M</i><sub>n</sub> < 1.1). We also demonstrate that these catalysts can be used for stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of racemic <i>O</i>-carboxyanhydrides to synthesize syndiotactic or stereoblock copolymers with different glass transition temperatures compared with their atactic counterparts.
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