Electron rich (salen)AlCl catalysts for lactide polymerisation: Investigation of the influence of regioisomers on the rate and initiation efficiency

•Eight electron rich (salen)AlCl complexes are reported for rac-lactide polymerisation.•OMe-substituted complexes are up to four times faster than NEt2-substituted analogues.•Ortho-ether substituted complexes outperform the meta-, para- and meta’- regioisomers.•Multifunctional ortho-OMe substituents improve initiation, activity and stereocontrol.