Pure Appl. Chem., 2007, Vol. 79, No. 11, pp. 2013-2030
doi:10.1351/pac200779112013
Controlled ring-opening polymerization of lactide by group 3 metal complexes*
Abderramane Amgoune, Christophe M. Thomas, and Jean-François Carpentier
Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, UMR 6226 CNRS Université de Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France
Abstract:
In this review, attention is focused on the use of group 3 metal complexes for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide to give polylactides (PLAs). Synthesis of PLAs has been studied intensively due to their biocompatible and biodegradable properties and their potential applications in medical and agricultural fields. ROP of lactide, a cyclic diester of lactic acid, provides PLA. This review includes our recent research results and implications in developing new amino-bis(phenolate) group 3 initiators for the synthesis of polyesters.
Keywords: catalysis; green chemistry; lanthanides; polylactides; polymerization.
*Pure Appl. Chem. 79, 1831-2100. An issue of reviews and research papers based on lectures presented at the 1st International IUPAC Conference on Green-Sustainable Chemistry, held in Dresden, Germany, 10-15 September 2006.