Zhiyuan Zhong, Pieter J. Dijkstra, and Jan Feijen*
 

Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Group (PBM) and

Institute for Biomedical Technology (BMTI),

Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Twente,

P.O.Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, the Netherlands.

　Polylactides and their copolymers are key biodegradable polymers used widely for biomedical, pharmaceutical and ecological applications. The development of synthetic pathways and catalyst systems to produce pre-designed polylactides as well as the fundamental understanding of the polymerization reactions has continuously been an important topic. In this context, we will address the basic aspects of the chemistry of polylactides, discuss catalyst systems of preparative significance, and survey the recent advances in the ring-opening polymerization of lactides. The past decade has witnessed remarkable progress of polylactide chemistry, which includes: (1) in-situ generated initiator systems, which promote a rapid living polymerization of lactides under mild conditions, allowing a facile preparation of various structures; (2) structurally defined catalysts which facilitate kinetic and mechanistic studies; and (3) stereoelective/stereoselective polymerization catalysts which can be used for the preparation of polylactides with novel microstructures and properties.

　论文来源：In Commemoration of The 50 Years of Polymer Education and Research at Peking University,May,2004