Greater than the Sum of Its Parts: A Heterodinuclear Polymerization Catalyst

摘要

Homodinuclear catalysts have good precedent for epoxide and carbon dioxide/anhydride copoly-merizations; in contrast, so far pure heterodinuclear catalysts are unknown. The synthesis and properties of a heterodinuclear Zn(Ⅱ)/Mg(Ⅱ) complex coordinated by a symmetrical macrocyclic ligand are reported. It shows high polymerization selectivity, control, and significantly greater activity compared to either of the homodinuclear analogues or any combinations of them. Indeed, compared to a 50:50 mixture of the homodinudear complexes, it shows 5 times (CO_2/epoxide) or 40 times (anhydride/ epoxide) greater activity.