Ring opening polymerization of lactides and lactones by multimetallic alkyl zinc complexes derived from the acids Ph2C(X)CO2H (X = OH, NH2)

Abstract

The reaction of the dialkylzinc reagents with acids 2,2-Ph₂C(X)(CO₂H), where X = NH₂, OH, i.e. 2,2′-diphenylglycine (dpgH) or benzilic acid (benzH₂), in toluene at reflux afforded the tetra-nuclear ring complexes [RZn(dpg)]₄, where R = Me, Et, 2-CF₃C₆H₄, and 2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂