The preparation of technologically important polyurethanes while avoiding the use of toxic isocyanates is an emerging field of study. One of the more promising routes involves the reaction between cyclic carbonates and amines to form polyhydroxyurethanes. Depending on the ring size of the cyclic carbonate, this synthetic approach is limited by slow reactivity and/or availability of diverse monomer structures. Here we report approaches to increases the rate of reaction between cyclic carbonates and amines using different classes of organocatalysts. Synthetic routes to new cyclic carbonate monomers and physical properties of their corresponding polymers are also detailed. In addition, we prepared polyhydroxyurethane structural equivalents to polyurethanes to determine how the presence of hydroxyl groups on the backbone impact polymer properties.

New monomers and catalysts for sustainable non-isocyanate polyurethanes

251st National Meeting (2016)

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