Discrete Lanthanide Catalysts for Biodegradable Polymer Synthesis

这项研究项目探索聚乳酸合成的各个方面。特别是，将制备和表征一系列新的钇和稀土络合物。这些配合物将包含具有可调结构元素的大环配体，它们作为聚合催化剂的用途将被特别关注，以了解配体结构对聚合机理的影响。在此基础上，将寻找新的立体选择性催化剂，并将研究丙交酯的共聚。预计这项工作将为开发在共聚中表现出受控聚合动力学和选择性的催化系统奠定基础。有了这一奖项，有机化学和高分子化学计划支持明尼苏达大学的威廉·B·托尔曼和马克·A·希尔迈尔教授的研究。托尔曼教授和希尔迈尔正在研究一种名为聚乳酸的环保塑料的制备方法。特别令人感兴趣的是带来塑料形成的金属催化剂。通过对金属络合物及其对聚合反应的影响的联合研究，可以实现对塑料的改良或新型以及形成塑料的新方法。

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.