An unprecedented Zn10O4 heteroadamantane cage containing anilido-pyridinate ligand and its activity for ring opening polymerization of l-lactide and ε-caprolactone

Abstract

(NPyC₂OMe)₈Zn₁₀Et₄(μ⁴-O)₄ (1) has been synthesized in situ by hydrolysis of ZnEt₂ in a one pot process and it was proved by applying X-ray structure analysis that the organozinc anilido-pyridinate moiety encapsulated the zinc oxide cluster, which demonstrated one self-assembled coordinate mode “Zn₁₀O₄”. Moreover, the catalytic activity was investigated and good activity for L-lactide and ε-caprolactone ring opening polymerization was observed with both living and controllable properties.