Recent advances in ring-opening (co)Polymerization of O-carboxyanhydrides

Poly (α-hydroxy acids) (PAHAs) have garnered significant attention due to their pivotal role in various fields, including packaging, agriculture, and biomedical engineering, as biodegradable polyesters. Therefore, significant efforts have been dedicated to the development of methodologies that enable the facile preparation of PAHAs with controlled molecular weights and diverse pendant groups for versatile applications. However, the production of PAHAs through the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of OCAs is highly challenging due to the strong side reaction of monomer racemization and the faster polymerization kinetics. To synthesize PAHAs with specific pendant groups and structure, researchers have developed a variety of ROP systems, each with its own unique advantages in recent years. Here, we have provided a summary of the fundamental characteristics and recent advancements of various methods, such as controlled/living ROP systems, topology-controlled ROP systems, stereoselective ROP systems of OCAs, and other copolymerization routes. Moreover, this article discusses the benefits and unresolved issues associated with different synthetic methods, providing readers with the necessary information to select rapid and manageable ROP systems for PAHAs synthesis. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd