The physical properties of polylactide (PLA), especially its rates of chemical and biological degradation, are determined by the three-dimensional orientation of substituents along the polymer chain (i.e., its microstructure). Considerable effort has been devoted to controlling PLA microstructure, and numerous catalysts have been developed towards this end; notably, many of these catalysts possess optically active ligands. Recently, attention has been paid to the development of titanium- and tantalum-based lactide polymerization catalysts due to their potential for both high activity and biocompatibility. Herein we report the preparation and ability of titanium and tantalum complexes bearing optically active amino-alcohol ligands to catalyze the polymerization of D,L-lactide; said complexes have been previously shown to promote the asymmetric intramolecular hydroamination of aminoallenes. Specifically, we discuss the effect of ligand architecture upon the rate of the polymerization reactions, as well as on the microstructure of the resultant polymers.

Titanium and tantalum complexes bearing optically active amidoalkoxides as catalysts for the polymerization of D,L-lactide

247th National Meeting (2014)

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