Controlled ring-opening polymerization of lactide by bis-sulfonamide/ amine associations: Cooperative hydrogen bonding catalysis

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/pola.23852

The bis-sulfonamide m-C₆H₄(SO₂NHPh) ₂ efficiently promotes the ring-opening polymerization of lactide when combined with tertiary amines, such as N,N-dimethylamino-pyridine. Polylactides of controlled molecular weights (M_n up to 17,700 g moT^-1) and very narrow molecular weight distributions (M _w/M_n < 1.11) are obtained under mild conditions and in a living fashion. The reaction takes place through a bifunctional mechanism involving activation of both the alcohol and the monomer. Modulation of the sulfonamide component supports cooperative dual hydrogen-bonding of lactide involving the two (SO₂NHAr) moieties.