Aluminum Alkoxide Complexes that Polymerize ε-Caprolactone and L-lactide

Presentation Type

Poster

Keywords

Biodegradable Plastic, Aluminum, Polymerization, Sterics, Electronics

Department

Chemistry

Major

Chemistry

Abstract

Plastics such as poly-lactic acid (PLA) and poly-caprolactone (PCL) are of interest because of their biodegradability and are prepared from their respective monomers, L-lactide (L-LA) and ε-caprolactone (εCL). In this project, the PLA and PCL polymers were prepared with a series of aluminum complexes comprised of a tridentate ketoiminate and two phenoxides. The ketoiminate substituents were varied from electron-donating to electron-withdrawing and characterized with NMR spectroscopy, absorbance spectroscopy, and x-ray crystallography. The complexes showed trigonal bipyramidal structures. The aluminum complexes were able to make both PLA and PCL, and the best catalysts included electron-withdrawing substituents.

Faculty Mentor

Joseph Fritsch

Funding Source or Research Program

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Location

Waves Cafeteria

Start Date

1-4-2016 2:00 PM

End Date

1-4-2016 3:00 PM

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 1st, 2:00 PM Apr 1st, 3:00 PM

Aluminum Alkoxide Complexes that Polymerize ε-Caprolactone and L-lactide

Waves Cafeteria

Plastics such as poly-lactic acid (PLA) and poly-caprolactone (PCL) are of interest because of their biodegradability and are prepared from their respective monomers, L-lactide (L-LA) and ε-caprolactone (εCL). In this project, the PLA and PCL polymers were prepared with a series of aluminum complexes comprised of a tridentate ketoiminate and two phenoxides. The ketoiminate substituents were varied from electron-donating to electron-withdrawing and characterized with NMR spectroscopy, absorbance spectroscopy, and x-ray crystallography. The complexes showed trigonal bipyramidal structures. The aluminum complexes were able to make both PLA and PCL, and the best catalysts included electron-withdrawing substituents.