Quantum mechanics

Quark

Chiral resolution

Catalysis

Enantioselective synthesis

Polymerization

Polymer chemistry

Enantiomer

Enantiopure drug

Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model

Polyester

Polymer

Physics

Organic chemistry

Epoxide

Kinetic resolution

Copolymer

Chirality (physics)

Chemistry

Chiral symmetry breaking

Tacticity

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Herein we report an efficient strategy for preparing isotactic polyesters and chiral epoxides via enantioselective resolution copolymerization of racemic terminal epoxides with anhydrides, mediated by enantiopure bimetallic complexes in conjunction with a nucleophilic cocatalyst. The chirality of both the axial linker and the diamine backbones of the ligand are responsible for the chiral induction of this kinetic resolution copolymerization process. The catalyst systems exhibit exceptional levels of enantioselectivity with a kinetic resolution coefficient exceeding 300 for various racemic epoxides, affording highly isotactic copolymers (selectivity factors of more than 300) with a completely alternating structure and low polydispersity index. Most of the produced isotactic polyesters are typical semicrystalline materials with melting temperatures in the range from 77 to 160 °C.

Enantioselective Resolution Copolymerization of <i>Racemic</i> Epoxides and Anhydrides: Efficient Approach for Stereoregular Polyesters and Chiral Epoxides

Enantioselective Resolution Copolymerization of Racemic Epoxides and Anhydrides: Efficient Approach for Stereoregular Polyesters and Chiral Epoxides