Temperature dependent studies were conducted on the ROP of cyclic esters using various H-bond donating (thio)ureas with base cocatalyst. Several previous studies suggest the inoperability of these catalysts at elevated temperatures due to decomposition of catalyst species. ROP experiments were conducted from 25 to 110°C. The resulting Arrhenius trends indicate both linear and non-linear trends for various H-bonding catalysts, with the non-linear trends breaking from linearity at ca. 80°C. Curved Arrhenius trends were observed to straightened out when polar solvent was used. A mechanistic explanation will be presented.

Mechanistic study of the ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters with varying temperature and solvent

256th National Meeting (2018)

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