Calixarene-Metal Complexes in Lactide Polymerization: The Story so Far

Polylactide synthetic procedures have lately gained attention, possibly due to their biocompatibility and the environ-mental problems associated with fossil-fuel-based polymers. Polylactides can be obtained from natural sources such as cassava, corn, and sugar beet, and polylactides can be manufactured in a laboratory using a variety of processes that begin with lactic acid or lactide. One of the most effective synthetic pathways is through a Lewis acid catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of lactides to obtain a well-defined polymer. In this regard, calixarenes, because of their easy functionalization and tunable properties, have been widely considered to be a suitable 3D molecular scaffold for new metal complexes that can be used for lactide polymerization. This review summarizes the progress made in applying some metal-calixarene complexes in the ring-opening polymerization of lactide.

Automated summary

The synthesis of polylactide has attracted attention recently due to its biocompatibility and environmental issues associated with fossil-fuel-based polymers. Polylactide can be obtained from natural sources or synthesized in a laboratory using various methods. Lewis acid catalyzed ring-opening polymerization is an effective pathway, and metal-calixarene complexes have been explored as suitable molecular scaffolds for lactide polymerization. This review summarizes the progress in using metal-calixarene complexes for the ring-opening polymerization of lactide.