Synthetic, structural, mechanistic, and computational studies on single-site beta-diketiminate tin(II) initiators for the polymerization of rac-lactide

A family of tin(II) complexes supported by beta-diketiminate ligands is investigated as initiators for the polymerization of rac-lactide. A B3LYP density functional computational study has indicated that insertion of the first lactide monomer into the tin(II) alkoxide bond is facile, with the induction period arising from a slower insertion of the second monomer units.