Use of zinc derivatives as cyclic ester polymerisation catalysts

摘要

Use of zinc derivatives of formula (I) as catalysts for polymerisation or co-polymerisation of cyclic esters is disclosed, wherein: L1 is selected from a group of formula: -E14(R14)(R'14)(R''14), -E15(R15)(R'15) and -E16(R16); E is an atom of group 15; L2 and L3 are independently selected from a group of formula: -E14(R14)(R'14)(R''14), -E15(R15)(R'15) and -E16(R16), or L2 and L3 combined form a chain of formula -L'2-A-L'3-; A is a saturated or unsaturated chain including 1 to 3 members independently selected from group 14 elements, each member being independently substituted by zero or one radical selected from an alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl and substituted aryl, wherein the substituents in the substituted species being selected from a halogen, alkyl, aryl, nitro and cyano radical; L'2 and L'3 are independently selected from a group of formula -E14(R14)(R'14)-, -E15(R15) and -E16-; E14 is an element of group 14; E15 is an element of group 15; E16 is an element of group 16; R14, R'14, R''14, R15, R'15 and R16 are independently selected from a hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl and substituted aryl, wherein the substituents in the substituted species being selected a halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, nitro, cyano radical and a radical of formula -EÆ14RRÆR"; EÆ14 is an element of group 14; and R, RÆ and R" are independently selected from a hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl and substituted aryl, where in the substituted species one or more substituents are independently selected from a halogen, alkyl, aryl, nitro and cyano radical.