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Discrete Metal‐Based Catalysts for the Copolymerization of CO 2 and Epoxides: Discovery, Reactivity, Optimization, and Mechanism
Author(s) -
Coates Geoffrey W.,
Moore David R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.200460442
Subject(s) - copolymer , catalysis , reactivity (psychology) , epoxide , organic chemistry , chemistry , polymer , mechanism (biology) , materials science , medicine , philosophy , alternative medicine , epistemology , pathology
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 CO 2 and epoxides have the potential to meet these goals. Since the discovery of catalysts for the copolymerization of CO 2 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–CO 2 copolymerization and related reactions.