Compostable plastics can be synthesized using non-petroleum resources via ring opening polymerization of lactide to form polylactic acid (PLA).  Lactide is a product of the fermentation process (corn, sugar beets, etc.), allowing the life cycle of PLA to approach carbon neutrality. We continue to explore the efficacy of a series of chiral aluminum-based catalysts, each with uniquely substituted 8-hydroxy quinolate ligands, to facilitate the ring opening polymerization of lactide.  The catalysts were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, and in some cases X-ray crystallography.  Polymerization rates, syntheses and polymer tacticities for each catalyst will be discussed.

Isotactic polylactic acid (PLA) formation with chiral aluminum hydroxyquinolate catalysts

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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