Visible light-regulated organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of lactones by harnessing excited state acidity

A visible light-regulated organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of lactones has been developed by harnessing the excited state acidity of aromatic alcohol photocatalysts. Commercially available 1-hydroxypyrene (PyOH) is identified as an efficient organic photocatalyst, which afforded excellent control on the polymerization, a reversible activity mediation by light, and the well-defined polyester products with predictable molecule mass and narrow dispersity.