Polylactide and polycaprolactone are both biodegradable polymers produced through metal-catalyzed ringopening polymerization. Foratruly sustainable lifecycle of these polymers it is essential to replace the industrially used cytotoxic catalyst tin(II) bis(2-ethylhexanoate) [Sn(Oct) 2 ]with non-toxic alternatives.Here,wereport the fastest knownrobust catalyst in the polymerization of lactide and e-caprolactone. This zinc guanidine catalyst can polymerize non-purified technical rac-lactide and e-caprolactone in the melt at different [M]/[I] ratios with fast rate constants,high molar masses,and high yields in as hort time,l eading to colorless,t ransparent polymer.Moreover,wereport that polylactide and polycaprolactone produced by zinc-guanidine complexes have favorably high crystallinities.I nf act, the obtained polylactide shows am ore robust degradation profile than its Sn(Oct) 2-catalysed equivalent due to ah igher degree of crystallinity.

Four non-toxic, highly active and robust complexes have been used in the ring opening polymerisation of non-purifed lactide to substitute Sn(Oct)2.

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Objectives: There is scarce information about sedation in nursing homes at the end of life. We aimed to assess (1) the use of sedatives generally and "sedatives with continuous effect," based on objective operational criteria, within the last week of life in nursing homes and (2) factors associated with this treatment. Design: Retrospective cohort study, using the nursing homes' medical records. Setting and Participants: Residents who died in 4 German nursing homes from January 2015 to December 2017 and whose medical records were available (n ¼ 512). Methods: Sedatives analyzed were those recommended by guidelines for "palliative sedation": benzodiazepines, levomepromazine, haloperidol (!5 mg/d), and propofol. The definition of "sedatives with continuous effect" and doses judged as at least moderately sedating were consented by palliative care clinicians and pharmacists, based on the literature. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed (R version 3.6.1). Results: Overall, 110/512 (21%) deceased residents received a sedative at least once during the last week of life, 46/512 (9%) "sedatives with continuous effect." Oral lorazepam was used most frequently. Eleven of 512 (2%) residents received doses judged as at least moderately sedating. The term sedation was not used. Most frequent indications were agitation (58/110; 53%) and anxiety (35/110; 32%); no indication was noted for 36/110 (33%) residents. The resident's involvement in the decision for sedatives was documented in 3/110 (3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between use of sedatives and age (OR ¼ 0.94, P < .001) as well as institution (P < .001). Conclusions and Implications: Our data indicate a lower prevalence of sedation compared to international data and considerable differences regarding prevalence between institutions. These differences, potential setting-specific challenges, and need for support measures for consistent best practice of sedation in nursing homes should be further explored.

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