Volume 43, Issue 48 pp. 6618-6639
Review

Discrete Metal-Based Catalysts for the Copolymerization of CO2 and Epoxides: Discovery, Reactivity, Optimization, and Mechanism

Geoffrey W. Coates Prof.

Geoffrey W. Coates Prof.

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-1301, USA, Fax: (+1) 607-255-4137

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David R. Moore Dr.

David R. Moore Dr.

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-1301, USA, Fax: (+1) 607-255-4137

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First published: 08 December 2004
Citations: 1,104

Graphical Abstract

Given the non-renewable nature of synthetic polymers from petroleum feedstocks, there is increasing interest in developing routes to biodegradable polymeric materials from renewable resources. Polycarbonates made from CO2 and epoxides (see scheme) have the potential to meet these important goals. Reviewed here are well-defined catalysts for epoxide–CO2 copolymerization and related reactions.

Abstract

Most synthetic polymers are made from petroleum feedstocks. Given the non-renewable nature of these materials, there is increasing interest in developing routes to polymeric materials from renewable resources. In addition, there is a growing demand for biodegradable polymeric materials. Polycarbonates made from CO2 and epoxides have the potential to meet these goals. Since the discovery of catalysts for the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides in the late 1960's by Inoue, a significant amount of research has been directed toward the development of catalysts of improved activity and selectivity. Reviewed here are well-defined catalysts for epoxide–CO2 copolymerization and related reactions.

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