Poly(α-hydroxy acids), as a family of biodegradable polyesters, are valuable materials due to their broad applications in packaging, agriculture, and biomedical engineering. Herein we highlight and explore recent advances of catalysts in controlled ring-opening polymerization of O-carboxyanhydrides towards functionalized poly(α-hydroxy acids), especially metal catalyst-mediated controlled polymerization. Limitations of current polymerization strategies of O-carboxyanhydrides are discussed.
A dimeric yttrium phenoxide complex can be oxidized in a stepwise fashion to access three oxidation states. The three states show different activity in the ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters and epoxides.
In this review, we describe recent developments in biodegradable polymer synthesis with a focus on the use of discrete complexes and organocatalysts as active initiators for the stereocontrolled ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters.
Controlled Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides to Synthesize Functionalized Poly(α-Hydroxy Acids)
