Open AccessCatalytic Chain Transfer Copolymerization of Propylene Oxide and CO 2 using Zinc Glutarate Catalyst
Author(s) -
Marbach Jakob,
Höfer Theresa,
Bornholdt Nick,
Luinstra Gerrit A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistryopen
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2191-1363
DOI - 10.1002/open.201900135
Subject(s) - propylene oxide , copolymer , propylene carbonate , catalysis , chemistry , polymer chemistry , chain transfer , ether , monomer , carbonate , polymerization , zinc , polymer , molar mass distribution , ethylene oxide , organic chemistry , radical polymerization , electrode , electrochemistry
Oligo and poly(propylene ether carbonate)‐polyols with molecular weights from 0.8 to over 50 kg/mol and with 60–92 mol % carbonate linkages were synthesized by chain transfer copolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and propylene oxide (PO) mediated by zinc glutarate. Online ‐monitoring of the polymerization revealed that the CTA controlled copolymerization has an induction time which is resulting from reversible catalyst deactivation by the CTA. Latter is neutralized after the first monomer additions. The outcome of the chain transfer reaction is a function of the carbonate content, i. e . CO 2 pressure, most likely on account of differences in mobility (diffusion) of the various polymers. Melt viscosities of poly(ether carbonate)diols with a carbonate content between 60 and 92 mol % are reported as function of the molecular weight, showing that the mobility is higher when the ether content is higher. The procedure of PO/CO 2 catalytic chain copolymerization allows tailoring the glass temperature and viscosity.