Ring‐Opening Copolymerization of Styrene Oxide and Cyclic Anhydrides by using Highly Effective Zinc Amido–Oxazolinate Catalysts

Abstract

Abstract Polyesters have been widely applied owing to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. Recently, catalytic ring‐opening copolymerization of cyclic anhydrides and epoxides has emerged as an effective approach for the synthesis of polyesters. Herein, we report a series of amido–oxazolinate zinc complexes as highly active catalysts for the ring‐opening copolymerization of styrene oxide and cyclic anhydrides. Turnover frequencies up to 4000 h −1 were achieved in the reaction of styrene oxide and maleic anhydride. Analysis of the end groups provides a useful probe for the preference at the electron‐poor methine site of styrene oxide for the ring‐opening process.