Main author: Andrés Castro Ruiz
Institution or Company: Chemistry Department, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Science Institute, University of Iceland.
Co-Authors, Institution or Company:
Sigriður G. Suman, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Science Institute University of Iceland.
Introduction: Metalloenzymes are outstanding catalysts in the conversion of small molecules in nature, they are ideal models upon which to base synthetic mimics able to efficiently interconvert chemical energy. These biological catalysts often feature earth-abundant metals such as cobalt surrounded by protein scaffolds.
Methods: This study focuses on using bioinspired cobalt-amino acids complexes type [Co(aa)2(bipy]Cl to evaluate several features of the outer coordination sphere around the metallic center in ring opening copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides to produce biopolymers.
Results: Here, the effect of serine, valine and methionine side chain placed in the outer coordination sphere of the metallic center were evaluated. The complexes were characterized in solution and in solid state. A hypothesis that the side chain such as hydroxyl/alkyl groups may have synergistic effect to facilitate CO2 activation was tested. Currently these compounds can convert CO2 into cyclic carbonate efficiently.
Conclusion: Future investigations will be focused on selective copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides in homogeneous system to make biodegradable polymers for medical applications.
