Highly stable methylaluminum dimer complex with chiral tridentate ligand

• A methylaluminum complex containing a chiral tridentate ligand was synthesized.
• The complex forms a dimeric species with two bridged oxygen atoms.
• Two methyl groups are located in cis position.
• The complex was tested as a catalyst for the ring opening polymerization of lactide.
• The lactide epimerization was observed at the polymerization.

The dimeric aluminum complex containing fully deprotonated 4-{[(1S,2R)-2-hydroxyindan-1-yl]amino}-pent-3-en-2-one was synthesized and characterized. X-ray analysis revealed that the two five-coordinate aluminum centers possess ideal tetragonal pyramid geometry and two methyl groups are located in cis position. It is found to be stable in the presence of isopropanol at room temperature. The compound was used as a catalyst for the ring opening polymerization of lactide accompanying lactide epimerization.

A dimeric aluminum complex was simply prepared and confirmed by various spectroscopic methods. X-ray crystallography reveals that the complex forms a dimeric species with two bridged oxygen atoms in which two methyl groups are located in cis position. It was proven as an effective catalyst for the controlled ring opening polymerization of lactide, and lactide epimerization was observed.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide