A metal-free coordination–insertion ring-opening polymerization of tetrahydrofuran by the central metalloid bis(pentafluorophenyl)(phenoxy)borane

A new strategy for the metal-free coordination-insertion ring-opening polymerization of tetrahydrofuran by the central metalloid Boron has been first identified. Bis(pentafluorophenyl)(phenoxy)borane was used as a catalyst for the polymerization reaction system. And polytetrahydrofuran with high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution could be obtained. The proposed mechanism was studied by MALDI-TOF, ESI-MS and O-18 isotope labeling analyses as a metal-free coordination insertion mechanism.