Single-Component Catalyst/Initiators for the Organocatalytic Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactide

The synthesis and characterization of a series of primary and secondary alcohol adducts of
1,3-dimesitylimidazolin-2-ylidene is described. These adducts are stable as solids at room temperature,
but readily release alcohol and the free carbene in solution. These alcohol adducts function as excellent
single-component catalyst/initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of lactide under mild conditions,
providing polymers with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities. Multifunctional adducts
were used to prepare poly(lactide)s of more complex architectures.