Switchable Ring‐Opening Polymerization by a Ferrocene Supported Aluminum Complex

Abstract

Abstract An aluminum(III) iso ‐propoxide complex supported by salfen ( 1 , salfen=1,1′‐di(2,4‐bis‐ tert ‐butyl‐salicylimino)ferrocene) was synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 can be reversibly oxidized and reduced, and both redox species were surveyed as ring‐opening polymerization catalysts for cyclic esters and cyclohexene oxide. Based on the observed reactivity behavior, 1 could be used as a redox‐switchable catalyst for the formation of AB and ABC type di‐ and triblock copolymers of lactide, cyclohexene oxide, and trimethylene carbonate.