Biodegradable polyesters have attracted much attention because of their environmentally friendlily. The metal catalyst plays a very important role in their preparation. Up to now

tin-based catalysts are often used to catalyze ring- opening polymerization of cyclic ester monomers in the industry

in which the cost is high and the residues of tin in the polymer also limit their applications. Iron is the abundant metal elements on the earth

and it also has a friendly and unique biological activity for human being. Iron compounds can catalyze cyclic ester polymerization under mild conditions

which is a potentially important green catalyst for biodegradable polyesters in the future. In this paper

the progress of iron catalyst for preparation of biodegradable polyesters was reviewed from several aspects.