Organocatalytic Ring-Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone with Phosphoramidimidates (PADIs) as a Bifunctional Bronsted Acid Catalyst

In this study, an organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epsilon-caprolactone (epsilon-CL) has been developed by employing PADIs as a novel and efficient acid/base bifunctional organocatalyst, which could afford metal-free poly(epsilon-caprolactone) with predictable molecular weight and narrow dispersity at a low catalyst loading under mild conditions. NMR and kinetic studies indicate that the ring-opening polymerizations of lactones catalyzed by PADIs proceed in a living and well controlled manner. Moreover, this organic Bronsted acid catalytic system could allow the synthesis of PCL with molecular weight above 60 kg/mol, as well as well-defined star polymers.