Lanthanides benzimidinates: initiators or real catalysts for the ε-caprolactone polymerization

• Published in: Macromolecular rapid communications. Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 213 - 217
• Main Authors: Barbier-Baudry, Denise, Bouazza, Aicha, Brachais, Claire Hélène, Dormond, Alain, Visseaux, Marc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH 24.03.2000; WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physical Sciences; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymer Science; Polymerization; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Science & Technology; Ring opening polymerization; Initiator; Rare earth metal complex; Priming activity; Experimental study; Lactone polymer; Polycaprolactone; Samarium complex; Solution polymerization; Ytterbium complex
• ISSN: 1022-1336; 1521-3927
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1521-3927(20000301)21:5<213::AID-MARC213>3.0.CO;2-3

Lanthanides (samarium and ytterbium) tris and monobenzimidinates are efficient for the polymerization of ε‐caprolactone, the systems remaining active after consumption of the monomer. Nevertheless it is not a living polymerization because the benzimidinates are recovered. Evidence for support of the proposed catalytic cycle was obtained by NMR studies.