New generation polymers: the role of metal alkoxides as catalysts in the production of polyoxygenates

Polyoxygenates such as polyesters and polycarbonates derived from readily renewable resources, e.g. lactide from corn and carbon dioxide, are attractive as environmentally friendly (green) alternatives to polymers derived from fossil fuels, and will play an increasing role in the market place as we move from petrochemical feedstocks. Metal–oxygen bonds to alkoxide ligands will play an increasingly important role as catalysts for ring-opening polymerizations, ring-opening copolymerizations and transesterification. This article briefly reviews current efforts in the development of single-site catalysts of the form LnMOR for the production of polyesters and polycarbonates.