Synthesis of Polycarbonates and Poly(ether carbonate)s Directly from Carbon Dioxide and Diols Promoted by a Cs2CO3/CH2Cl2 System

Recently, polycarbonates have attracted considerable research interest because of their potential biodegradability and sustainability. Here, we present a direct route for the synthesis of polycarbonates and poly(ether carbonate)s from carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and diols, promoted by Cs 2 CO 3 and CH 2 Cl 2 under 1 atm of CO 2 . Quantitative conversion of diols and polymers with up to 11 kg/mol molecular weight could be obtained. While benzylic diols lead to predominantly carbonate linkage, aliphatic diols result in the incorporation of the methylene unit of CH 2 Cl 2 that produces poly(ether carbonate)s. Both primary and secondary diols have been successfully incorporated into the polymer chain.