Insun Yu

Mechanism of living lactide polymerization by dinuclear indium catalysts and its impact on isoselectivity.

A family of racemic and enantiopure indium complexes 1-11 bearing bulky chiral diaminoaryloxy ligands, H(NNO(R)), were synthesized and fully characterized. Investigation of both the mono- and the bis-alkoxy-bridged complexes [(NNO(R))InX](2)[μ-Y][μ-OEt] (5, R = (t)Bu, X = Y = Cl; 8, R = Me, X = I, Y = OEt) by variable temperature, 2D NOESY, and PGSE NMR spectroscopy confirmed dinuclear structures in solution analogous to those obtained by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The dinuclear complexes in the family were highly active catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide (LA) to form poly(lactic acid) (PLA) at room temperature. In particular, complex 5 showed living polymerization behavior over a large molecular weight range. A detailed investigation of catalyst stereoselectivity showed that, although (R,R/R,R)-5 is highly selective for l-LA, only atactic PLA is obtained in the polymerization of racemic LA. No such selectivity was observed for complex 8. Importantly, the selectivities obtained for the ROP of racemic LA with (R,R/R,R)-5 and (R,R/R,R)-8 are different and, along with kinetics investigations, suggest a dinuclear propagating species for these complexes.

Redox control of group 4 metal ring-opening polymerization activity toward l -lactide and ε-caprolactone

The activity of several group 4 metal alkoxide complexes supported by ferrocene-based ligands was controlled using redox reagents during the ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide and ε-caprolactone. Switching in situ between the oxidized and reduced forms of a metal complex resulted in a change in the corresponding rate of polymerization. Opposite behavior was observed for each monomer used. One-pot copolymerization of the two monomers to give block copolymers was also achieved.

Highly controlled immortal polymerization of β-butyrolactone by a dinuclear indium catalyst

An ethoxy-bridged dinuclear indium catalyst was used for the ring opening polymerization of the cyclic ester β-butyrolactone to form the biodegradable polyester poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). The catalyst shows remarkable activity and control during polymerization, allowing for formation of diblock polymers. Addition of high ratios of alcohols to the catalyst leads to fast chain transfer and immortal polymerization.

Synthesis and structural studies of chiral indium(III) complexes supported by tridentate diaminophenol ligands.

Indium(III) dimethyl, dihalide, and alkoxy-bridged complexes bearing a chiral diaminophenoxy tridentate ligand [NN(H)O](-) were synthesized. The dimethyl complex (NN(H)O)InMe(2) (1) was unreactive toward ethanol and 2-propanol and only partially reactive toward the more acidic phenol. The dihalide complexes (NN(H)O)InX(2) (X = Cl (3), Br (4), I (5)) reacted with NaOEt to form robust alkoxy-bridged complexes with the formula {[(NN(H)O)InX](2)(mu-X)(mu-OEt)} (X = Cl (6), Br (7), I (8)). The reaction of the alkoxy-bridged complexes with water produced hydroxy-bridged dinuclear indium compounds. The hydroxy-bridged complex bearing a chloride ligand [(NN(H)O)InCl(mu-OH)](2) (9) was significantly more reactive toward dissociation and formation of a pyridine adduct than the iodo analogue [(NN(H)O)InI(mu-OH)](2) (10). All compounds were fully characterized in solution by NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, DFT calculations were used to help explain the reactivity trends observed.

Dinucleating Ligand Platforms Supporting Indium and Zinc Catalysts for Cyclic Ester Polymerization

The synthesis of the first alkoxide-bridged indium complex supported by a chiral dinucleating ligand platform (1), along with its zinc analogue (2), is reported. Both complexes are synthesized in a one-pot reaction starting from a chiral dinucleating bis(diamino)phenolate ligand platform, sodium ethoxide, and respective metal salts. The dinucleating indium analogue (7) based on an achiral ligand backbone is also reported. Indium complexes bearing either the chiral or achiral ligand catalyze the ring-opening polymerization of racemic lactide (rac-LA) to afford highly heterotactic poly(lactic acid) (PLA; Pr > 0.85). The indium complex bearing an achiral ligand affords essentially atactic PLA from meso-LA. The role of the dinucleating ligand structure in catalyst synthesis and polymerization activity is discussed.

The Role of Nitrogen Donors in Zinc Catalysts for Lactide Ring-Opening Polymerization

The electronic effects of nitrogen donors in zinc catalysts for ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters were investigated. Alkyl and benzyloxy zinc complexes supported by tridentate diamino- and aminoimino phenolate ligands were synthesized, and their solid-state and solution structures characterized. The solution-state structures showed that the alkyl complexes are mononuclear, while the alkoxy complexes are dimeric with the ligands coordinated with different denticities depending on the nature of the ligand donors. The catalytic activities of these compounds toward the ring-opening polymerization of racemic lactide were studied and showed that catalysts with secondary and imine nitrogen donors are more active than analogues with tertiary amines.

Coupling of Epoxides and Lactones by Cationic Indium Catalysts To Form Functionalized Spiro-Orthoesters

We prepared a cationic indium catalyst for the conversion of epoxides and lactones into spiro‐orthoesters (SOEs), a family of expanding monomers. The cationic indium alkyl complexes [(NNiO)In(CH2SiMe3)(S)][B{3,5‐(CF3)2C6H3}4] (2⋅Solv; H(NNiO)=2,4‐dicumyl‐6‐({[2‐(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]imino}methyl)phenol, S=OEt2 or THF) were synthesized and fully characterized. The reaction of ϵ‐caprolactone with 1,2‐epoxy‐7‐octene resulted in the formation of 2‐(hex‐5‐en‐1‐yl)‐1,4,6‐trioxaspiro[4.6]undecane (SOE1) with full conversion of both components. We extended the substrate scope to five‐ and six‐membered lactones as well as to a number of functionalized epoxides. The reactivity of the SOEs was explored.