Metal Complexes in the Synthesis of Biodegradable Polymers: Achievements and Prospects

Abstract

This review describes recent advances in the synthesis of homopolymers of lactide and related cyclic esters via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) in the presence of metal complexes based on group 1, 2, 4, 12, 13 and 14 metals. Particular attention is paid to the influence of the initiator structure on the properties of the obtaining homo- and copolymers. Also, a separate chapter is devoted to the study of metal complexes in the synthesis of copolymers of lactide and lactones. This review highlights the efforts made over the last ten years or so, and shows how main-group metals have received increasing attention in the field of the polymerization of lactide and related cyclic esters.

Diamidoamine Aluminum Complex as Effective Initiator for Random Copolymerization of Substituted Carbonate with L-Lactide

“…In industry, biodegradable polymers are synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of L -LA and other cyclic esters, catalyzed by metal complexes . It should be noted that effective catalytic systems have already been developed for the synthesis of poly( L -LA) and PLGA; however, selection or creating the initiator for the synthesis of copolymers is a different and at times challenging task …”

Titanium and Vanadium Complexes of Tridentate Phenoxy-Imine and Phenoxy-Amine Ligands and Their Application in the Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Esters

“…Polylactide (PLA) and poly( ε -caprolactone) (PCL) have received a lot of attention over the last few years due to their biodegradability and attractive physical and mechanical properties [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The microstructures, physical-chemical properties, possible applications, and synthesis methods of these polymeric materials have been discussed in detail in a number of review papers, for example, [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The common method for the synthesis of PLA and PCL is the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of corresponding monomers, e.g., ε -caprolactone ( ε -CL) and lactide (LA) monomers, with the use of structurally well-defined metal complexes that contain an initiating nucleophile, most commonly the alkoxy group OR, and a variety of ancillary ligands [ 2 , 5 , 25 , 26 ].…”