Dinuclear zinc complexes using a set of two polytadenate phenolate ligands and applications in polymerization of catalysis of D,L-Lactone

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of 9 dinuclear zinc complexes are reported, including the X-ray crystal structures of 5 complexes. The set of three ligand motif (R) -2,6-bis((E) -((2-(dimethylamino) ethyl) imino) methyl) phenol (where R is Cl, t-But and OMe) L1, L2, L3, and a set of three related ligands has been synthesized; (R) -2,6-bis(((2-(dimethylamino) ethyl) amino) methyl) phenol (where R is Cl, t-But and OMe) L4, L5, L6. Dizinc diacetate complexes have been synthesized ([LnZn2(OAc) 2][PF6]) (n= 1, 2, 3) . Dizinc trihalide complexes have also been prepared [LnZn2(μ-Cl) Cl2] (n= 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) . The dizinc complexes were tested as initiators for D,Llactide ring opening polymerization. Structural differences between complexes of the three ligands are discussed.