Cooperative Heterobimetallic Catalysts in Coordination Insertion Polymerization

Abstract

In this tutorial, we describe the applications of well-defined heterobimetallic complexes in coordination insertion polymerization catalysis. The presence of two different metals in a single catalyst platform imparts reactivity patterns that are distinct from those of their homobimetallic and monometallic counterparts. We will demonstrate that heterobimetallic complexes are a versatile and unique class of catalysts by providing representative examples from recent studies of carbon dioxide/epoxide, lactone, lactide, and olefin polymerization. We will focus on the various strategies employed to synthesize mixed metal species, methods to characterize their structures, and the mechanistic roles of the metal ions during polymerization. Graphical Abstract