N-Oxides amplify catalyst reactivity and isoselectivity in the ring-opening polymerization of rac-β-butyrolactone

Abstract

N-Oxides can amplify the performance of a lanthanum aminobisphenolate catalyst in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-β-butyrolactone (rac-BBL) to unprecedented levels (TOF/P_m; At RT: 1900 h⁻¹/0.73, At −30 °C: 200 h⁻¹/0.82). Experiments and computations establish donor electronics control catalyst activity, while donor sterics control catalyst deactivation.