Synthesis and structural characterization of zinc complexes supported by amino-benzotriazole phenoxide ligands: Efficient catalysts for ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and β-butyrolactone

Abstract: Two amino-benzotriazole phenol ligands, 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-6-((diethylamino)methyl)-4-alkyl-phenol (alkyl=CH3, C1DEA BTP-H, and alkyl=C8H17, C8DEA BTP-H) were prepared through the Mannich condensation of 4-alkyl-2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)phenol with the mixtures of excess paraformaldehyde and diethylamine under reflux conditions. Zinc complexes supported by amino-benzotriazole phenoxide ligands ( C1DEA BTP − and C8DEA BTP −) were synthesized and fully characterized. The reaction of ZnEt2 with DEA BTP-H (1equiv.) produces the tetra-coordinated dimeric zinc complexes [(μ- C1DEA BTP)ZnEt]2 (1) and [(μ- C8DEA BTP)ZnEt]2 (2). Experimental results indicate that complex 1 catalyzes the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and β-butyrolactone with good catalytic activities in a controlled character. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]