Simple divalent metal salts as robust and efficient initiators for the ring-opening polymerisation of rac-lactide

Abstract

Simple divalent metal benzoxides are reported as robust and efficient catalysts for lactide (LA) polymerisation. Following a “pre-stir” step to aid solubility, the best performing catalyst, Zn(OBn)₂, gave quantitative monomer conversion in just 30 seconds and performed well under industrially relevant settings with high monomer loadings, bulk polymerisation conditions and non-anhydrous conditions using technical grade LA.