AUTHOR=Zhong Yongliang , Tong Rong 

TITLE=Living Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides: The Search for Catalysts

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2018.00641

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2018.00641

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=<p>Biodegradable poly(α-hydroxy acids) can be synthesized by means of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of <italic>O</italic>-carboxyanhydrides (OCAs). Numerous catalysts have been developed to control the living polymerization of OCAs. Here we review the rationale for the use of OCA, the desirable features for and important attributes of catalysts for the ROP of OCAs, and specific examples that have been developed.</p>