Well-defined bis（phenolate） lanthanide methoxides as efficient initiators for the polymerization of cyclic carbonate and lactide

Lanthanide methoxides supported by carbon-bridged bis(phenolate) ligands 2,2′-methylene-bis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxo) (MBMP2−) [(MBMP)Ln(µ-OMe)(THF)2]2 (Ln = Nd (1), Yb (2)) were synthesized in high yields by the protolysis reaction using (C5H5)3Ln(THF) as starting materials, and complex 1 was structurally characterized. The coordination geometry around the center metal can be best described as a distorted octahedron. Complexes 1 and 2 were shown to be efficient initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) and L-lactide. The mechanism of DTC polymerization was explored by the end group analysis of the oligomer.