Technical University of Munich

Friederike Adams

Bernhard Rieger

A catalyst/initiator system that can be used for polymerizing &#x3b2;-butyrolactone is described. The catalyst/initiator system includes a rare earth metal, a chiral ligand, at least one nucleophilic ligand, optionally at least one solvent ligand, and optionally an alkali based co-catalyst. The chiral ligand can have the structure of Formula A, as shown below: wherein Y represents rare earth metal Yttrium, Ph represents Phenyl radical and thf represents tetrahydrofuran solvent ligand.

Process for polymerizing beta-butyrolactone

A process for polymerizing &#x3b2;-butyrolactone that includes contacting racemic &#x3b2;-butyrolactone or an enantiomer thereof with a catalyst/initiator system which includes a rare earth metal, a chiral ligand, at least one nucleophilic ligand, optionally at least one solvent ligand, and optionally an alkali based co-catalyst. The chiral ligand is an enantiomer of a unit of formula I Each Rindependently is substituted or unsubstituted linear C-Calkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted branched, or cyclic C-Calkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C-Caryl, substituted or unsubstituted C-Cheteroaryl, or halogen. Each Rindependently is H, Me, (MeZ), wherein Z is a charge equalizing anion, or wherein two Rtogether are alkaline earth metal, wherein Meis alkali metal or alkaline earth metal.

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Munich, Germany

Friederike Adams