This Thesis describes the use of alkaline earth and rare earth complexes bearing phenolate ligands as catalysts in the amine-initiated, immortal ring opening polymerisation (ROP) of cyclic esters. Mechanistic elucidation was performed and two propagation pathways are presented.

Chapter One introduces cyclic esters and catalytic routes to polyesters by ROP. Common techniques for polymer characterisation are described and an overview of relevant phenolate-supported ROP catalysts is giv...