Ammonium betaines: efficient ionic nucleophilic catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide and cyclic carbonates

The ionic nucleophilic character of ammonium betaine catalysts allows for controlling the ROP of L-LA for DP as high as 750 with very narrow dispersity values (<= 1.18). Compared to ionic nucleophilic and hydrogen-bonding based catalysts for ROP, meta-betaine combines the positive aspects of both processes in terms of kinetics and selectivity. The versatility of ammonium betaines was evidenced by varying the nature of the initiating alcohol and monomer used.