A highly active, thermally robust iron(iii)/potassium(i) heterodinuclear catalyst for bio-derived epoxide/anhydride ring-opening copolymerizations

The ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of epoxides and anhydrides is a useful route to polyesters but requires more active catalysts. An iron(iii)/potassium(i) catalyst, applied without additives/co-catalyst, shows high rates, loading tolerance, thermal stability and selectivity. It shows unparalled rates using terpene-derived monomers, producing bio-derived, amorphous high glass transition temperature (>100 degrees C) polyesters relevant for future explorations as thermoplastics, block polymer adhesives and elastomers.

Automated summary

The utilization of an iron(iii)/potassium(i) catalyst in ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides and anhydrides without additives/co-catalyst demonstrates high catalytic efficiency, loading tolerance, thermal stability, and selectivity. This catalyst exhibits unparalleled rates using terpene-derived monomers, resulting in bio-derived, amorphous polyesters with a high glass transition temperature (>100 degrees C), making them suitable for future applications as thermoplastics, block polymer adhesives, and elastomers.