The copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides has become an important synthetic route for the production of useful polymeric materials.  For example, polycarbonates derived from ethylene oxide and propylene oxide by this method have been commercialized as binders, adhesives, and coatings.  In addition, low molecular weight copolymers based on CO2 and epoxides coupling to afford polyols are receiving much current attention for use in polyurethane and other block polymer synthesis.  The selectivity of the coupling reaction to provide copolymer, the kinetic product, versus the thermodynamic cyclic carbonate product has been a challenge for expanding the scope of this process to a wide range of epoxides.  Fortunately, this issue of selectivity has been generally solved with the advent of bifunctional metal salen catalysts.  In these instances, catalyst design involves the covalent attachment of the onium salt initiators directly to the salen ligand prior to metallation.  This presentation will discuss our most recent research efforts to greatly expand the scope of this CO2/epoxide coupling reaction to selectively provide completely alternating copolymers.

Current status of copolymerization reactions of carbon dioxide and epoxides

248th National Meeting (2014)

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