Macromolecules, Vol.40, No.6, 1886-1890, 2007
Ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone by benzylalkoxybis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)tin compounds: Observation of the insertion product into the Sn-OMe bond
Benzylmethoxybis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)tin (1) and benzylisopropoxybis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)tin (2) were synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 exhibited good activity in the ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone, in a living fashion, under mild conditions. The polymerization was demonstrated to proceed via ring-opening of the monomer at the acyl-oxygen bond. The epsilon-caprolactone insertion product into the Sn-OCH3 of the initiator was characterized, providing support for a "coordination-insertion" mechanism.