Stereoselective Lactide Polymerization: the Challenge of Chiral Catalyst Recognition

A model
for stereoselective ring opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide promoted by chiral aluminum systems is reported
based on DFT calculations. The mechanism of enantiomorphic site control
dictated by the chiral catalyst shows unusual features, including
active site reorganization on the reaction path, which add complexity
and need to be taken into account when addressing the challenge of
chiral catalyst recognition.