Aluminium and group IV metals for polymerisation of lactide

The overall aim of this project is to broaden the understanding of the polymerisation of lactide to make poly(lactic acid). The major uses of poly(lactic acid) are in the household, replacing petroplastics to make disposable items such as plastic bags. During this project, new catalysts for the polymerisation of lactide will be synthesised, with both electron poor and electron precise target molecules being identified in order to discover useful replacements for current catalysts. Study of the mechanism of the polymerisation of lactide will be achieved by variation of the steric and electronic properties of the catalysts, as insights into the mechanism of the polymerisation may also give ideas as to how to better design viable industrial alternatives to those compounds already established. Target molecules will be tested for their ability to polymerise lactide to discover motifs which are efficient at synthesising poly(lactic acid), as well as exploring those motifs which are traditionally avoided for polymerisation of lactide. The nature of the polymers obtained will be investigated, and qualifications of what makes a useful polymer for industrial use defined. The project will investigate the possible products formed after polymerisation, and attempts will be made to exploit the structure of a catalyst to impart functionality into the polymer chain itself. Some of the target molecules of this project are also expected to have anti-cancer properties, so their anti-cancer activity will be assessed in vitro, and polymers made using anti-cancer active catalysts will be tested for anti-cancer activity.