Discrete Lanthanide Catalysts for Biodegradable Polymer Synthesis

本研究项目探讨了聚乳酸合成的各个方面。 特别是，一系列新的钇和镧系元素配合物的制备和表征。 这些配合物将纳入大环配体与可调的结构元素，它们的效用作为聚合催化剂将进行调查，特别注意被支付到获得的了解配体结构的影响，聚合机制。 在此基础上，将寻求新的立体选择性催化剂，并研究丙交酯的共聚反应。 预计这项工作将支持努力开发催化体系，表现出可控的聚合动力学和选择性共聚。有了这个奖项，有机和大分子化学计划支持教授威廉B的研究。Tolman和Marc A.明尼苏达大学的希尔迈尔说。 托尔曼教授和希尔迈尔正在研究如何制备一种被称为聚乳酸的环境“友好”塑料。 特别令人感兴趣的是导致塑料形成的金属催化剂。 通过对金属配合物及其对聚合反应的影响的联合研究，可以实现改进的或新型的塑料以及形成它们的新方法。

This research project explores various aspects of polyactide synthesis. In particular, an array of new yttrium and lanthanide complexes are to be prepared and characterized. These complexes will incorporate macrocyclic ligands with tunable structural elements, and their utility as polymerization catalysts will be investigated with particular attention being paid to gaining an understanding of ligan structural influences on the polymerization mechanisms. Building from this, new stereoselective catalysts will be sought, and copolymerization of lactides will be studied. It is anticipated that this work will underpin efforts to develop catalytic systems that exhibit controlled polymerization kinetics and selectivities in copolymerization.With this Award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports the research of Professors William B. Tolman and Marc A. Hillmyer of the University of Minnesota. Professor Tolman and Hillmyer are investigating ways to prepare an environmentally "friendly" plastic known as polyactide. Of particular interest are metal catalysts that bring about the formation of the plastic. Through the combined studies of the metal complexes together with their effect on the polymerization reaction, improved or new types of plastics as well as new ways to form them may be realized.