Catalysts for CO2/epoxide ring-opening copolymerization

G Trott; P K Saini; C K Williams

doi:10.1098/rsta.2015.0085

Catalysts for CO2/epoxide ring-opening copolymerization

Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci. 2016 Feb 28;374(2061):20150085. doi: 10.1098/rsta.2015.0085.

Authors

G Trott¹, P K Saini¹, C K Williams²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
² Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK c.k.williams@imperial.ac.uk.

Abstract

This article summarizes and reviews recent progress in the development of catalysts for the ring-opening copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides. The copolymerization is an interesting method to add value to carbon dioxide, including from waste sources, and to reduce pollution associated with commodity polymer manufacture. The selection of the catalyst is of critical importance to control the composition, properties and applications of the resultant polymers. This review highlights and exemplifies some key recent findings and hypotheses, in particular using examples drawn from our own research.

Keywords: CO2; catalysis; polycarbonate; ring-opening copolymerization.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review