Catalysts and methods for polymer synthesis

摘要

The present invention provides unimolecular metal complexes having increased activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides. Also provided are methods of using such metal complexes in the synthesis of polymers. According to one aspect, the present invention provides metal complexes comprising an activating species with co-catalytic activity tethered to a multidentate ligand that is coordinated to the active metal center of the complex.

主权项

1. A metal complex of the formula: wherein:
M is cobalt; comprises a salen ligand; and(Z)m represents one or more activating moieties tethered to the salen ligand, where represents a linker moiety;m is an integer between 1 and 4 inclusive and represents the number of Z groups present on a linker moiety; andeach (Z) represents an activating moiety comprising an amidine or amidinium group.