Data for "Lewis Pair Polymerization of Epoxides via Zwitterionic Species as a Route to High‐Molar‐Mass Polyethers"

This is achieved by combining the rapid polymerization characteristics of a zwitterionic, Lewis pair type mechanism with the efficient epoxide activation by the MgII species.

Transfer‐to‐monomer, traditionally frustrating attempts at synthesizing polyethers with a high degree of polymerization, is practically removed as a limiting factor by this approach. NMR and MALDI‐ToF MS experiments reveal key aspects of the proposed mechanism, whereby the polymerization is initiated via nucleophilic attack by the NHO on the activated monomer, generating a zwitterionic species. This strategy can also be extended to other epoxides, including functionalized monomers.