Iron alkoxide complexes supported by bis(imino)pyridine complexes demonstrate orthogonal reactivity for cyclic diesters and epoxides. When the catalysts are in the iron(II) oxidation state, they are active for the cyclic diester polymerization but not epoxides. In contrast, when the catalyst is in the iron(III) oxidation state, they are active for polymerization of epoxides and not cyclic diesters. This reactivity has been utilized for the synthesis of block copolymers and crosslinked polymers. In this talk, the origin of this chemoselectivity will be discussed along with efforts towards fast switching polymerization techniques. The synthesis and reactivity of unique, formally iron(I) alkoxides towards the ring opening polymerization of various monomers will also be discussed in the context of redox-switchable polymerization reactions.

Redox-Switchable iron-based polymerization catalysts

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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