The copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides has been researched with a wide variety of catalysts, but the production of industrially relevant plastics has been limited.  Detailed investigations into new epoxide monomers provide useful information regarding how the nature of the epoxide affects polymer/cyclic selectivity. Focus will be given to the differences in the catalytic coupling reactions of CO2 with alicyclic epoxides, e.g. cyclohexene oxide, cyclopentene oxide, and indene oxide, utilizing both Co(III) and Cr(III) complexes.  Additional studies utilizing CS2, which is more electrophilic than CO2, have shown an increased preference for copolymer production rather than backbiting to cyclic carbonate.

Coupling reactions of epoxides and CO<sub>2</sub>: Origin of selectivity for copolymer vs. cyclic carbonate formation

244th National Meeting (2012)

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Coupling reactions of epoxides and CO2: Origin of selectivity for copolymer vs. cyclic carbonate formation

Coupling reactions of epoxides and CO₂: Origin of selectivity for copolymer vs. cyclic carbonate formation