Organometallic complexes of new pincer ligands: Structure, reactivity and catalysis

海耶斯小组的研究重点是制备和研究不寻常和独特的分子，用于新的化学转化和催化。具体来说，我的研究计划的一部分是集中在制备新的催化剂体系的内酯聚合。这项工作的动力源于这样一个事实，即聚内酯，特别是聚乳酸，PLA和聚己内酯，PCL，表现出类似的散装性能的聚乙烯和聚丙烯，但可生物降解和生物相容性。此外，PLA的合成前体可以在廉价的可再生资源中找到，如甜菜和玉米。尽管有这些好处，目前的技术对聚合物的关键特征几乎没有控制。我们已经开发了一种基于阳离子镁和锌物种的合成的策略，由于它们的正电荷和空配位位点，它们是高活性的内酯聚合催化剂。

Research in the Hayes group focuses on the preparation and study of unusual and unique molecules for application in new chemical transformations and catalysis. Specifically, one portion of my research program is concentrated upon preparing new catalyst systems for the polymerization of lactones. The impetus for this work stems from the fact that polylactones, especially, polylactide, PLA, and polycaprolactone, PCL, exhibit similar bulk properties as polyethylene and polypropylene, but are biodegradable and biologically compatible. In addition, the synthetic precursors to PLA can be found in inexpensive renewable resources, such as beets and corn. Despite these benefits, current technologies offer very little control over key features of the polymer. We have developed a strategy based upon the synthesis of cationic magnesium and zinc species, which, due to their positive charge and vacant coordination site are highly active lactone polymerization catalysts.