Zirconium Complexes Bearing Methyl/tButyl Salicylate and Their Catalytic Activity on ε-Caprolactone

Abstract

In this study, methyl/tbutyl salicylate-bearing zirconium complexes (C1–C8) were prepared by the reaction of zirconium (IV) propoxide/butoxide with salicylic acid, 3-methylsalicylic acid, 4-methylsalicylic acid, and 3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylic acid in alcohols, respectively. All these complexes (C1–C8) were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, mass spectroscopy (MS), elemental, and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). These complexes were utilized as catalysts in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of Ɛ-caprolactone and were very effective. Polycaprolactone (PCL) was characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C NMR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). In this study, perhaps for the first time, the effects of electron-donating substituents (Me and tBu) on Ɛ-caprolactone polymerization reactions on salicylate ligands linked to zirconium atoms were investigated.