Synthesis of heterotactic PLA from rac-lactide using hetero-bimetallic Mg/Zn-Li systems
Résumé
Biomass represents an abundant carbon-neutral renewable resource for the production of polymers. In this regard, the availability of monomer feedstocks from renewable resources has given poly(lactide) increasing prominence in the market place. Herein we report highly active and stereoselective catalytic systems for the polymerization of rac-lactide, generating highly heterotactic PLA. Given an operationally simple method, we developed magnesium and zinc hetero-bimetallic complexes in combination with diol ligands for the straightforward synthesis of PLA.