Alane-Based Classical and Frustrated Lewis Pairs in Polymer Synthesis: Rapid Polymerization of MMA and Naturally Renewable Methylene Butyrolactones into High-Molecular-Weight Polymers

摘要

The seminal works by the research groups of Stephan and Erker uncovered the concept of "frustrated lewis pairs" (FLPs) to describe pairs formed by a sterically encumbered borane Lewis acid (most commonly B(C6F5)3) and a base (e.g. (tBu)3P), in which these two components are sterically precluded from forming classical donor/acceptor adducts Instead, the unquenched, opposite reactivity of FLPs can carry out unusual reactions or reactions that were previously known to be possible only by transition-metal complexes, such as activation of H2, CO2, N2O, B—H bonds, alkenes and alkynes, as well as catalytic hydrogenation. The direct use of FLPs in polymer synthesis and/or in polymerization catalysis is currently still missing from this list.