Organocatalytic Synthesis of Alkyne-Functional Aliphatic Polycarbonates via Ring-Opening Polymerization of an Eight-Membered-N-Cyclic Carbonate

The synthesis of well-defined propargyl-functional aliphatic polycarbonates is achieved via the organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of prop-2-yn-1-yl 2-oxo-1,3,6-dioxazocane-6-carboxylate (P-8NC) using a wide variety of commercially available or readily made, shelf-stable organocatalysts. The resulting homopolymers show low dispersities and end-group fidelity, with the versatility of the system being demonstrated by the synthesis of telechelic copolymers and block copolymers with molar mass up to 40 kDa.

Automated summary

The synthesis of well-defined propargyl-functional aliphatic polycarbonates is achieved using commercially available or readily made, shelf-stable organocatalysts, resulting in homopolymers with low dispersities and end-group fidelity, and demonstrating the versatility of the system through the synthesis of telechelic copolymers and block copolymers with molar mass up to 40 kDa.