Efficient Solvent-Free Alternating Copolymerization of CO2 with 1, 2-Epoxydodecane and Terpolymerization with Styrene Oxide via Heterogeneous Catalysis
The alternating copolymerization of CO2 with the terminated epoxides anchoring long alkyl groups is rarely reported because of their low reactivity and polycarbonate selectivity. This work describes a well-controlled solvent-free copolymerization of CO2 with 1,2-epoxydodecane (EDD) with a long electron-donating alkyl group via the catalysis of Zn-Co(III) double metal cyanide complex catalyst. The productivity of the catalyst was up to 2406 g polymer/g Zn, that is, EDD conversion was 99.2%. The alternating degree of CO2-EDD copolymers were more than 99% and had high number-average molecular weights (Mns) of >100 kg mol21, while only 1.0 wt% 4-decyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (DC) were detected. Moreover, by introducing styrene oxide (SO) with electron-withdrawing phenyl group into EDD-CO2 copolymerization system, a new random terpolymer with either electron-withdrawing or electrondonating
side groups was produced with single glass transition temperatures (Tgs) in a wide range from 3 to 56 C, which might be potentially used as biodegradable elastomers or plastics.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE, PART A: POLYMER CHEMISTRY 2015, 53, 737–744
DOI: 10.1002/pola.27497