Group 4 hydroxides and their multimetallic assemblies for ring opening polymerization (ROMP) of rac-lactide without solvent

In this work, we report the synthesis, structural characterization of Group 4 mono and bis-hydroxides and their derivatives and their catalytic properties in the Ring Opening Polymerization (ROP) of rac-Lactide. The hydroxides, and their multimetallic assemblies were characterized, using 1H NMR, 2D NMR, Elemental Analysis, and Single crystal XRD. These complexes were used as catalysts for ring opening polymerization of rac-Lactide.  All complexes exhibit varied activity in the polymerization but produce heterotactic polylactide in high yield. These polymers were further characterized by 13C NMR.A tendency toward formation of heterotactic polylactide was observed in the bulk polymerizations. Copyright © 2017 VBRI Press.