Metalloporphyrins as Catalysts for Precision Macromolecular Synthesis

The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 11 3-8656, Japan 

brings about ring-opening polymerization of epoxides (11, Table 1) to give polyethers with a narrow molecular weight di.stribution (MWD). 

Copyright 2000 by Academic Press All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. 

A key to achieving living polymerization is to develop well-behaved initiators, because the initiator affects both the relative rate of initiation to propagation and the potential for side reactions. - In this chapter, we focus on the precision synthesis of macromolecules with metalloporphyrins as initiators. Extensive initial studies by Inoue and Aida, - and more recent studies by Wayland et al.have shown that the metalloporphyrins which are applicable to controlled macromolecular synthesis include compounds of aluminum (1-4), zinc (5), manganese (6), cobalt (7) and rhodium (8). The first two nontransition metal metalloporphyrins are effective for anionic (nucleophilic) polymerization while 

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Metalloporphyrins as Catalysts for Precision Macromolecular Synthesis Takuzo Aida... 

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