Photocatalyst-independent photoredox ring-opening polymerization of O-carboxyanhydrides: stereocontrol and mechanism.

ABSTRACT: Photoredox ring-opening polymerization of O-carboxyanhydrides allows for the synthesis of polyesters with precisely controlled molecular weights, molecular weight distributions, and tacticities. While powerful, obviating the use of precious metal-based photocatalysts would be attractive from the perspective of simplifying the protocol. Herein, we report the Co and Zn catalysts that are activated by external light to mediate efficient ring-opening polymerization of O-carboxyanhydrides, without the use of exogenous precious metal-based photocatalysts. Our methods allow for the synthesis of isotactic polyesters with high molecular weights (>200 kDa) and narrow molecular weight distributions (M _w/M _n < 1.1). Mechanistic studies indicate that li

SUBMITTER: Zhong Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8179436 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature