Mono- and dinuclear β-oxo-δ-diiminate (BODDI) based catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization of <scp>l</scp> -lactide

Polyesters such as polylactic acid belong to the most useful biodegradable polymers being able to substitute polyolefins in many applications. In search for potent catalysts based on bio-compatible and non-critical raw materials bimetallic cooperativity has emerged as a powerful approach, but one that is still in its infancy. Here, we report a comparative study on the catalytic activity of overall 13 mono- and dinuclear β-oxo-δ-diiminate (BODDI) complexes in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of L-lactide. Variation of the number of metal atoms, the metal, <i>i.e.</i>, Li, Mg, Ca, and Zn, as well as of the secondary ligand crucially impacts on the activity of the catalysts and properties of the formed polymers.